EP3912322A1 - Tsn-cellular communication system qos mapping and ran optimization based on tsn traffic pattern related information - Google Patents

Tsn-cellular communication system qos mapping and ran optimization based on tsn traffic pattern related information

Info

Publication number
EP3912322A1
EP3912322A1 EP20702358.1A EP20702358A EP3912322A1 EP 3912322 A1 EP3912322 A1 EP 3912322A1 EP 20702358 A EP20702358 A EP 20702358A EP 3912322 A1 EP3912322 A1 EP 3912322A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
tsn
node
virtual
cellular communications
communications system
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP20702358.1A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP3912322B1 (en
Inventor
Kun Wang
Kefeng ZHANG
Paul Schliwa-Bertling
Joachim Sachs
Torsten DUDDA
Marilet DE ANDRADE JARDIM
János HARMATOS
Dinand Roeland
Balázs VARGA
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson AB
Original Assignee
Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson AB
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson AB filed Critical Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson AB
Publication of EP3912322A1 publication Critical patent/EP3912322A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP3912322B1 publication Critical patent/EP3912322B1/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Classifications

    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04MTELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M15/00Arrangements for metering, time-control or time indication ; Metering, charging or billing arrangements for voice wireline or wireless communications, e.g. VoIP
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04WWIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W28/00Network traffic management; Network resource management
    • H04W28/02Traffic management, e.g. flow control or congestion control
    • H04W28/0268Traffic management, e.g. flow control or congestion control using specific QoS parameters for wireless networks, e.g. QoS class identifier [QCI] or guaranteed bit rate [GBR]
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04LTRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L12/00Data switching networks
    • H04L12/02Details
    • H04L12/14Charging, metering or billing arrangements for data wireline or wireless communications
    • H04L12/1403Architecture for metering, charging or billing
    • H04L12/1407Policy-and-charging control [PCC] architecture
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04LTRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L47/00Traffic control in data switching networks
    • H04L47/10Flow control; Congestion control
    • H04L47/20Traffic policing
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04LTRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L47/00Traffic control in data switching networks
    • H04L47/10Flow control; Congestion control
    • H04L47/24Traffic characterised by specific attributes, e.g. priority or QoS
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04LTRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L47/00Traffic control in data switching networks
    • H04L47/10Flow control; Congestion control
    • H04L47/28Flow control; Congestion control in relation to timing considerations
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04LTRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L65/00Network arrangements, protocols or services for supporting real-time applications in data packet communication
    • H04L65/10Architectures or entities
    • H04L65/1016IP multimedia subsystem [IMS]
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04LTRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L65/00Network arrangements, protocols or services for supporting real-time applications in data packet communication
    • H04L65/80Responding to QoS
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04MTELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M15/00Arrangements for metering, time-control or time indication ; Metering, charging or billing arrangements for voice wireline or wireless communications, e.g. VoIP
    • H04M15/66Policy and charging system
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04MTELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M15/00Arrangements for metering, time-control or time indication ; Metering, charging or billing arrangements for voice wireline or wireless communications, e.g. VoIP
    • H04M15/80Rating or billing plans; Tariff determination aspects
    • H04M15/8016Rating or billing plans; Tariff determination aspects based on quality of service [QoS]
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04WWIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W28/00Network traffic management; Network resource management
    • H04W28/16Central resource management; Negotiation of resources or communication parameters, e.g. negotiating bandwidth or QoS [Quality of Service]
    • H04W28/24Negotiating SLA [Service Level Agreement]; Negotiating QoS [Quality of Service]
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04WWIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W4/00Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor
    • H04W4/24Accounting or billing

Definitions

  • the present disclosure relates to a cellular communications system and, more specifically, to a cellular communications system that operates as a virtual node in a Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) network.
  • TSN Time-Sensitive Networking
  • the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Fifth Generation (5G) system should support new requirements and challenges coming from these vertical domains.
  • 3GPP has a study on Communication for Automation in Vertical Domains (Technical Report (TR) 22.804), where many use cases from vertical domains are analyzed.
  • Industrial automation applications such as motion control have extremely stringent service requirements on high availability, ultra-reliable, low latency, low jitter, and determinism, e.g., 1-10 milliseconds (ms) end-to-end latency, 1-100 microsecond (ps) packet delay variation [2].
  • IEEE 802.1 TSN standards 802.1Qbv
  • 802.1Qbv can provide on-time delivery of TSN frames. It defines a means to transmit certain Ethernet frames on a time-based schedule. IEEE 802.1Qbv requires time synchronization, i.e. each bridge has to be aware of the same time.
  • FIG. 1 shows an example of a TSN setup 100.
  • An industrial controller 102 on the right-hand side of the figure and a robot 104 on the left-hand side of the figure are called end stations that are connected through several TSN bridges 106.
  • TSN bridges 106-1, 106-2, and 106-3 there are three TSN bridges, denoted as TSN bridges 106-1, 106-2, and 106-3.
  • the TSN network can be configured in different ways. In a static configuration, the end stations 102 and 104 and the TSN bridges 106 are configured during network setup. In a centralized network configuration setup, all configurations of TSN bridges 106 for TSN streams is performed by a Centralized Network
  • CNC Central User Configuration
  • CNC Central User Configuration
  • the CNC station 108 receives the requirements of the data flows from a Central User Configuration (CUC) entity 110 and then computes the route, the time schedules needed for the end-to-end transmission for each TSN flow, and configures the TSN bridges 106 with the computed time schedule.
  • CRC Central User Configuration
  • TSN Time-Sensitive Networking
  • RAN Radio Access Network
  • a method of operation of a TSN application function associated with a cellular communications system that operates as a virtual TSN node in a TSN system comprises receiving, from a controller associated with the TSN system, one or more TSN QoS parameters for the virtual TSN node. The method further comprises providing, to a core network function in a core network of the cellular communications system, the one or more TSN QoS parameters for the virtual TSN node.
  • the one or more TSN QoS parameters for the virtual TSN node comprise one or more QoS parameters for TSN traffic transmission.
  • the one or more QoS parameters for TSN traffic transmission comprise: (a) a latency of the virtual TSN node, (b) bandwidth information, (c) a priority level of one or more TSN streams to be communicated via the virtual TSN node, or any combination of two or more of (a)-(c).
  • the method further comprises receiving, from the controller associated with the TSN system, information related to a traffic pattern for the virtual TSN node, and providing, to the core network function in the core network of the cellular communications system, the information related to the traffic pattern for the virtual TSN node.
  • the information related to the traffic pattern for the virtual TSN node comprises gate control parameters for scheduled traffic.
  • the information related to the traffic pattern for the virtual TSN node comprises parameters that are not included in a model of the cellular
  • the core network function is a Policy Control Function (PCF).
  • PCF Policy Control Function
  • the cellular communications system is a Fifth Generation (5G)
  • the core network function is a PCF in the 5GS.
  • a TSN application function associated with a cellular communications system that operates as a virtual TSN node in a TSN system is adapted to receive, from a controller associated with the TSN system, one or more TSN QoS parameters for the virtual TSN node and provide the one or more TSN QoS parameters for the virtual TSN node to a core network function in a core network of the cellular communications system.
  • the TSN application function is implemented on a network node, wherein the network node comprises processing circuitry configured to, in order to perform operations of the TSN application function, cause the network node to receive the one or more TSN QoS parameters for the virtual TSN node from the controller associated with the TSN system and provide the one or more TSN QoS parameters for the virtual TSN node to the core network function.
  • a method of operation of a core network function in a cellular communications system that operates as a virtual TSN node in a TSN system comprises receiving, from a TSN application function, one or more TSN QoS parameters for the virtual TSN node and mapping the one or more TSN QoS parameters to one or more QoS policies in the cellular communications system, one or more rules in the cellular communications system, or both one or more QoS policies in the cellular communications system and one or more rules in the cellular communications system.
  • the method further comprises applying the one or more QoS policies, the one or more rules, or both the one or more QoS policies and the one or more rules in the cellular communications system.
  • the one or more TSN QoS parameters for the virtual TSN node comprise one or more QoS parameters for TSN traffic transmission.
  • the one or more QoS parameters for TSN traffic transmission comprise: (a) a latency of the virtual TSN node, (b) bandwidth information, (c) priority level of one or more TSN streams to be communicated via the virtual TSN node, or any combination of two or more of (a)-(c).
  • the method further comprises receiving, from the TSN application function, information related to a traffic pattern for the virtual TSN node (206-3).
  • the method further comprises providing, directly or indirectly, at least some of the information related to the traffic pattern for the virtual TSN node to another node in the cellular communications system.
  • the information related to the traffic pattern for the virtual TSN node comprises gate control parameters for scheduled traffic.
  • the information related to the traffic pattern for the virtual TSN node comprises parameters that are not included in a model of the cellular communications system that are needed for the cellular communications system to fulfill TSN QoS requirements of TSN communications.
  • the cellular communications system is a 5GS and, for TSN traffic in an uplink direction, providing the at least some of the information related to the traffic pattern for the virtual TSN node to another node in the cellular
  • communications system comprises providing, directly or indirectly, the at least some of the information related to the traffic pattern for the virtual TSN node to a User Plane Function (UPF) in a core network of the 5GS that operates as part of the virtual TSN node.
  • UPF User Plane Function
  • the cellular communication system is a 5GS and, for TSN traffic in a downlink direction, providing the at least some of the information related to the traffic pattern for the virtual TSN node to another node in the cellular communications system comprises providing, directly or indirectly, the at least some of the information related to the traffic pattern for the virtual TSN node to a User
  • UE Radio Equipment
  • applying the one or more QoS policies, the one or more rules, or both the one or more QoS policies and the one or more rules, in the cellular communications system comprises triggering a Packet Data Unit (PDU) session modification procedure to establish a new QoS flow for TSN traffic according to the one or more QoS policies, the one or more rules, or both the one or more QoS policies and the one or more rules.
  • PDU Packet Data Unit
  • the cellular communications system is a 5GS.
  • the core network function is a Policy Control Function (PCF).
  • PCF Policy Control Function
  • a core network function for a cellular communications system that operates as a virtual TSN node in a TSN system is adapted to receive one or more TSN QoS parameters for the virtual TSN node, map the one or more TSN QoS parameters to one or more QoS policies in the cellular communications system, one or more rules in the cellular communications system, or both one or more QoS policies in the cellular communications system and one or more rules in the cellular communications system, and apply the one or more QoS policies, the one or more rules, or both the one or more QoS policies and the one or more rules, in the cellular communications system.
  • the core network function is implemented on a network node, wherein the network node comprises processing circuitry configured to, in order to perform operations of the core network function, cause the network node to receive the one or more TSN QoS parameters for the virtual TSN node, map the one or more TSN QoS parameters to one or more QoS policies in the cellular communications system, one or more rules in the cellular communications system, or both one or more QoS policies in the cellular communications system and one or more rules in the cellular communications system, and apply the one or more QoS policies, the one or more rules, or both the one or more QoS policies and the one or more rules in the cellular communications system.
  • a method of operation of a node in a cellular communications system where the cellular communications system operates as a virtual TSN node in a TSN system are also disclosed.
  • the cellular communication system is a 5GS and, for TSN traffic in a downlink direction, the node is a UE that operates as part of the virtual TSN node.
  • the cellular communication system is a 5GS and, for TSN traffic in an uplink direction, the node is a UPF in a core network of the 5GS that operates as part of the virtual TSN node.
  • a node in a cellular communications system where the cellular communications system operates as a virtual TSN node in a TSN system are also disclosed.
  • a node in a cellular communications system where the cellular communications system operates as a virtual TSN node in a TSN system is adapted to receive, from another node in the cellular communications system, information related to a traffic pattern for the virtual TSN node and forward the information to an associated traffic translator such that the associated traffic translator outputs TSN traffic in accordance with the traffic pattern for the virtual TSN node.
  • the node comprises processing circuitry configured to cause the node to receive, from another node in the cellular communications system, information related to a traffic pattern for the virtual TSN node and forward the information to an associated traffic translator such that the associated traffic translator outputs TSN traffic in accordance with the traffic pattern for the virtual TSN node.
  • Embodiments of a method of operation of a radio access node are also disclosed.
  • a method of operation of a radio access node in a radio access network of a cellular communications system, the cellular communications system operating as a virtual TSN node in a TSN system comprises receiving
  • the method further comprises performing one or more actions based on the received information.
  • the one or more actions are related to optimization of the radio access network for TSN traffic.
  • the one or more actions comprise providing an associated UE with Semi-Persistent Scheduling (SPS) or configured grants
  • SPS Semi-Persistent Scheduling
  • the received information comprises periodicity.
  • the received information comprises periodicity of TSN traffic received by the virtual TSN node from the preceding TSN node.
  • the received information comprises message size.
  • the received information comprises message size of TSN traffic received by the virtual TSN node from the preceding TSN node.
  • the received information comprises information on when periodic data is to arrive at the virtual TSN node from the preceding TSN node.
  • a radio access node in a radio access network of a cellular communications system is adapted to receive information related to a traffic pattern for a preceding TSN node in the TSN system, wherein the preceding TSN node is a TSN node in the TSN system that precedes the virtual TSN node in a direction of TSN traffic flow.
  • the radio access node is further adapted to perform one or more actions based on the received information.
  • the radio access node comprises processing circuitry configured to cause the radio access node to receive the information related to the traffic pattern for the preceding TSN node in the TSN system and perform the one or more actions based on the received information.
  • a method performed for operating a cellular communications system as a virtual TSN node in a TSN system comprises, at a TSN application function associated with the cellular communications system, receiving one or more TSN QoS parameters for the virtual TSN node from a controller associated with the TSN system and providing the one or more TSN QoS parameters for the virtual TSN node to a core network function in a core network of the cellular communications system.
  • the method further comprises, at the core network function, receiving the one or more TSN QoS parameters for the virtual TSN node, mapping the one or more TSN QoS parameters to one or more QoS policies in the cellular communications system, one or more rules in the cellular communications system, or both one or more QoS policies in the cellular communications system and one or more rules in the cellular
  • the method further comprises, at the TSN application function, receiving information related to a traffic pattern for the virtual TSN node from the controller associated with the TSN system and providing the information related to the traffic pattern for the virtual TSN node to the core network function in the core network of the cellular communications system.
  • the method further comprises, at the core network function, receiving the one or more TSN QoS parameters for the virtual TSN node and the information related to the traffic pattern for the virtual TSN node and providing, directly or indirectly, at least some of the information related to the traffic pattern for the virtual TSN node to another node in the cellular communications system.
  • the method further comprises, at the another node in the cellular communications system, receiving, from the core network function, the at least some of the information related to the traffic pattern for the virtual TSN node and forwarding the at least some of the information to an associated traffic translator such that the associated traffic translator outputs TSN traffic in accordance with the traffic pattern for the virtual TSN node.
  • a method of operation of a TSN application function associated with a cellular communications system that operates as a virtual TSN node in a TSN system comprises receiving, from a controller associated with the TSN system, information related to a traffic pattern for a preceding TSN node in the TSN system, wherein the preceding TSN node is a TSN node in the TSN system that precedes the virtual TSN node in a direction of TSN traffic flow.
  • the method further comprises providing, to a core network function in a core network of the cellular communications system, the information related to the traffic pattern for the preceding TSN node.
  • the information related to the traffic pattern for the preceding TSN node comprises periodicity, message size, or both periodicity and message size.
  • the information related to the traffic pattern for the preceding TSN node comprises information on when periodic TSN data from the preceding TSN node is to arrive at the virtual TSN node.
  • the core network function is a PCF.
  • the cellular communications system is a 5GS.
  • the core network function is a PCF.
  • a TSN application function is also disclosed.
  • the communications system that operates as a virtual TSN node in a TSN system is adapted to receive, from a controller associated with the TSN system, information related to a traffic pattern for a preceding TSN node in the TSN system, wherein the preceding TSN node is a TSN node in the TSN system that precedes the virtual TSN node in a direction of TSN traffic flow.
  • the TSN application function is further adapted to provide, to a core network function in a core network of the cellular communications system, the information related to the traffic pattern for the preceding TSN node.
  • the TSN application function is implemented on a network node, wherein the network node comprises processing circuitry configured to, in order to perform operations of the TSN application function, cause the network node to receive the information related to the traffic pattern for the preceding TSN node from the controller associated with the TSN system and provide the information related to the traffic pattern for the preceding TSN node to the core network function.
  • the network node comprises processing circuitry configured to, in order to perform operations of the TSN application function, cause the network node to receive the information related to the traffic pattern for the preceding TSN node from the controller associated with the TSN system and provide the information related to the traffic pattern for the preceding TSN node to the core network function.
  • a method of operation of a core network function in a cellular communications system that operates as a virtual TSN node in a TSN system comprises receiving information related to a traffic pattern for a preceding TSN node in the TSN system, wherein the preceding TSN node is a TSN node in the TSN system that precedes the virtual TSN node in a direction of TSN traffic flow.
  • the method further comprises providing, directly or indirectly, at least some of the information related to the traffic pattern for the preceding TSN node to one or more radio access nodes in the cellular communications system.
  • the information related to the traffic pattern for the preceding TSN node comprises periodicity, message size, or both periodicity and message size.
  • the information related to the traffic pattern for the preceding TSN node comprises information on when periodic TSN data from the preceding TSN node is to arrive at the virtual TSN node.
  • the cellular communications system is a 5GS.
  • the core network function is a PCF.
  • a core network function for a cellular communications system that operates as a virtual TSN node in a TSN system is adapted to receive information related to a traffic pattern for a preceding TSN node in the TSN system, wherein the preceding TSN node is a TSN node in the TSN system that precedes the virtual TSN node in a direction of TSN traffic flow.
  • the core network function is further adapted to provide, directly or indirectly, at least some of the information related to the traffic pattern for the preceding TSN node to one or more radio access nodes in the cellular communications system.
  • the core network function is implemented on a network node, wherein the network node comprises processing circuitry configured to, in order to perform operations of the core network function, cause the network node to receive the information related to a traffic pattern for the preceding TSN node and provide, directly or indirectly, the at least some of the information related to the traffic pattern for the preceding TSN node to the one or more radio access nodes in the cellular communications system.
  • a method performed for operating a cellular communications system as a virtual TSN node in a TSN system comprises, at a TSN application function associated with the cellular communications system, receiving information related to a traffic pattern for a preceding TSN node in the TSN system from a controller associated with the TSN system, wherein the preceding TSN node is a TSN node in the TSN system that precedes the virtual TSN node in a direction of TSN traffic flow.
  • the method further comprises, at the TSN application function, providing the information related to the traffic pattern for the preceding TSN node to a core network function in a core network of the cellular communications system.
  • the method further comprises, at the core network function, receiving the information related to the traffic pattern for the preceding TSN node and providing, directly or indirectly, at least some of the information related to the traffic pattern for the preceding TSN node to one or more radio access nodes in the cellular communications system.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) setup
  • FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a TSN system including a virtual TSN node in which embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented
  • Figure 3 illustrates one example of a cellular communications network according to some embodiments of the present disclosure
  • Figure 4 illustrates a wireless communication system represented as a Fifth Generation (5G) network architecture composed of core Network Functions (NFs), where interaction between any two NFs is represented by a point-to-point reference point/interface;
  • 5G Fifth Generation
  • NFs core Network Functions
  • Figure 5 illustrates a 5G network architecture using service-based interfaces between the NFs in the control plane, instead of the point-to-point reference
  • Figure 6 illustrates a downlink example of 5G System (5GS) support for periodic deterministic communication
  • Figure 7 is an illustration of an example framework of TSN Quality of Service (QoS) mapping in 5GS, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure
  • FIG. 8 is an illustration of downlink output scheduling/pacing using a TSN traffic pattern from a Centralized Network Configuration (CNC) entity of the TSN system in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure
  • Figure 9 is an illustration of uplink output scheduling/pacing using a TSN traffic pattern from a CNC of the TSN system in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure
  • Figure 10 illustrates the operation of a 5GS to provide an example
  • Figure 11 illustrates 5GS downlink output scheduling
  • Figure 12 is an illustration of delivery of an additional TSN traffic pattern to the Radio Access Network (RAN) for radio optimization for an uplink scenario, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure
  • Figure 13 illustrates the operation of a 5GS to provide an example
  • Figures 14 through 16 illustrate example embodiments of a network node, which in these particular examples is a radio access node.
  • Figure 17 and 18 illustrate example embodiments of a User Equipment (UE).
  • UE User Equipment
  • Radio Node As used herein, a "radio node” is either a radio access node or a wireless device.
  • Radio Access Node As used herein, a "radio access node” or “radio network node” is any node in a Radio Access Network (RAN) of a cellular communications network that operates to wirelessly transmit and/or receive signals.
  • a radio access node include, but are not limited to, a base station (e.g., a New Radio (NR) base station (gNB) in a Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Fifth Generation (5G) NR network or an enhanced or evolved Node B (eNB) in a 3GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE) network), a high-power or macro base station, a low- power base station (e.g., a micro base station, a pico base station, a home eNB, or the like), and a relay node.
  • a base station e.g., a New Radio (NR) base station (gNB) in a Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Fifth Generation (5G) NR network or an enhanced or evolved Node B (eNB)
  • Core Network Node is any type of node in a core network or any node that implements a core network function.
  • Some examples of a core network node include, e.g., a Mobility Management Entity (MME), a Packet Data Network Gateway (P-GW), a Service Capability Exposure Function (SCEF), a Home Subscriber Server (HSS), or the like.
  • MME Mobility Management Entity
  • P-GW Packet Data Network Gateway
  • SCEF Service Capability Exposure Function
  • HSS Home Subscriber Server
  • a core network node examples include a node implementing an Access and Mobility Function (AMF), a User Plane Function (UPF), a Session Management Function (SMF), an Authentication Server Function (AUSF), a Network Slice Selection Function (NSSF), a Network Exposure Function (NEF), a Network Repository Function (NRF), a Policy Control Function (PCF), a Unified Data Management (UDM), or the like.
  • AMF Access and Mobility Function
  • UPF User Plane Function
  • SMF Session Management Function
  • AUSF Authentication Server Function
  • NSSF Network Slice Selection Function
  • NEF Network Exposure Function
  • NRF Network Repository Function
  • PCF Policy Control Function
  • UDM Unified Data Management
  • Wireless Device As used herein, a “wireless device” is any type of device that has access to (i.e., is served by) a cellular communications network by wirelessly transmitting and/or receiving signals to a radio access node(s). Some examples of a wireless device include, but are not limited to, a User Equipment (UE) in a 3GPP network and a Machine Type Communication (MTC) device.
  • UE User Equipment
  • MTC Machine Type Communication
  • Network Node As used herein, a "network node” is any node that is either part of the RAN or the core network of a cellular communications network/system.
  • 3GPP terminology or terminology similar to 3GPP terminology is oftentimes used.
  • the concepts disclosed herein are not limited to a 3GPP system.
  • 5GS 5G System
  • the present disclosure is not limited to the use of a 5GS. Any suitable cellular or mobile communications system may be used.
  • TSN Time-Sensitive Networking
  • a cellular communications system (e.g., a 5GS) operates as a (virtual) TSN node (e.g., a (virtual) TSN bridge), and the cellular communications system obtains (e.g., from a controller of the TSN) one or more TSN Quality of Service (QoS) parameters for the virtual TSN node and information related to a traffic pattern for the virtual TSN node.
  • QoS TSN Quality of Service
  • the TSN QoS parameters are mapped to QoS policy(ies) and/or rule(s) in the cellular communication system and are applied in the cellular communications system in order to satisfy the TSN QoS requirements for the virtual TSN node.
  • the information related to the traffic pattern for the virtual TSN node is provided to an appropriate edge node(s) (e.g., the UPF for uplink direction or the UE for downlink direction) where this information is used by the edge node(s) to achieve the desired traffic pattern.
  • the TSN QoS parameters and the information related to the traffic pattern for the virtual TSN node are obtained at a TSN application function (e.g., from a controller of the TSN) and provided to a PCF.
  • the PCF then maps the TSN QoS parameters to 5GS policy(ies) and/or 5GS rule(s) and applies the 5GS policy(ies) and/or 5GS rule(s) in the 5GS, with respect to TSN traffic.
  • the PCF provides (directly or indirectly) at least some of the information related to the traffic pattern for the virtual TSN node to the UE (for TSN traffic flow in the downlink direction) or the UPF (for TSN traffic flow in the uplink direction).
  • a cellular communications system (e.g., a 5GS) operates as a (virtual) TSN node (e.g., a (virtual) TSN bridge), and the cellular communications system obtains (e.g., from a controller of the TSN) information related to a traffic pattern for a preceding TSN node in the TSN (i.e., a TSN node that precedes the virtual TSN node in a direction of TSN traffic flow).
  • a cellular communications system e.g., a 5GS
  • the cellular communications system obtains (e.g., from a controller of the TSN) information related to a traffic pattern for a preceding TSN node in the TSN (i.e., a TSN node that precedes the virtual TSN node in a direction of TSN traffic flow).
  • At least some of the information related to the traffic pattern for the preceding TSN node is provided to one or more radio access nodes (e.g., gNB(s)) and, e.g., used by the radio access node(s) for radio optimization.
  • the information related to the traffic pattern for the preceding TSN node is obtained at a TSN application function (e.g., from a controller of the TSN) and provided to a PCF.
  • the PCF provides (directly or indirectly) at least some of the information related to the traffic pattern for the preceding TSN node to one or more radio access node(s) (e.g., gNB(s)), e.g., where this information is used for radio optimization.
  • radio access node(s) e.g., gNB(s)
  • Certain embodiments may provide one or more of the following technical advantage(s).
  • the embodiments described herein provide improved performance of a cellular communications system (e.g., a 5GS) as a virtual TSN node.
  • FIG. 2 shows an example of a TSN system 200 including a virtual TSN node in which embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented.
  • the TSN system 200 includes end stations 202 and 204 that are
  • TSN bridges 206 there are three TSN bridges, denoted as TSN bridges 206-1, 206-2, and 206-3.
  • TSN bridges 206-1, 206-2, and 206-3 are three TSN bridges.
  • one of the TSN bridges 206 is a virtual TSN bridge.
  • the TSN bridge 206-3 is a virtual TSN bridge.
  • the virtual TSN bridge 206-3 is implemented by a 5GS.
  • the end stations 202 and 204 and the TSN bridges 206 are configured during network setup.
  • all configurations of the TSN bridges 206 for TSN streams is performed by a Centralized Network Configuration (CNC) station 208, which configures the network resource reservations and is responsible for coordinating any changes to those configured reservations with any new reservations. Reservations can be made or requested by the end stations 202 and 204.
  • CNC Centralized Network Configuration
  • the CNC station 208 receives the requirements of the data flows from a Central User Configuration (CUC) entity 210 and then computes the route, the time schedules needed for the end-to-end transmission for each TSN flow, and configures the TSN bridges 206 with the computed time schedule.
  • CRC Central User Configuration
  • Figure 3 illustrates one example of a cellular communications system 300 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.
  • the cellular communications system 300 is a 5GS.
  • the cellular communications network 300 includes base stations 302-1 and 302-2, which in 5G NR are referred to as gNBs, controlling
  • the base stations 302-1 and 302-2 are generally referred to herein collectively as base stations 302 and individually as base station 302.
  • the macro cells 304-1 and 304-2 are generally referred to herein collectively as macro cells 304 and individually as macro cell 304.
  • the cellular communications network 300 may also include a number of low power nodes 306-1 through 306-4 controlling corresponding small cells 308-1 through 308-4.
  • the low power nodes 306-1 through 306-4 can be small base stations (such as pico or femto base stations) or Remote Radio Heads (RRHs), or the like.
  • RRHs Remote Radio Heads
  • one or more of the small cells 308-1 through 308-4 may alternatively be provided by the base stations 302.
  • the low power nodes 306-1 through 306-4 are generally referred to herein collectively as low power nodes 306 and individually as low power node 306.
  • the small cells 308-1 through 308-4 are generally referred to herein collectively as small cells 308 and individually as small cell 308.
  • the base stations 302 (and optionally the low power nodes 306) are connected to a core network 310.
  • the base stations 302 and the low power nodes 306 provide service to wireless devices 312-1 through 312-5 in the corresponding cells 304 and 308.
  • the wireless devices 312-1 through 312-5 are generally referred to herein collectively as wireless devices 312 and individually as wireless device 312.
  • the wireless devices 312 are also sometimes referred to herein as UEs.
  • Figure 4 illustrates a wireless communication system represented as a 5G network architecture composed of core Network Functions (NFs), where interaction between any two NFs is represented by a point-to-point reference point/interface.
  • NFs Network Functions
  • Figure 4 can be viewed as one particular implementation of the system 300 of Figure 3.
  • the 5G network architecture shown in Figure 4 comprises a plurality of UEs 312 connected to either a RAN or an Access Network (AN) as well as an AMF 400.
  • the R(AN) comprises base stations 202, e.g. such as eNBs or gNBs or similar.
  • the 5G core NFs shown in Figure 4 include a NSSF 402, an AUSF 404, a UDM 406, the AMF 400, a SMF 408, a PCF 410, an Application Function (AF) 412, and a UPF 414.
  • the N1 reference point is defined to carry signaling between the UE 312 and the AMF 400.
  • the reference points for connecting between the AN and the AMF 400 and between the AN and the UPF 414 are defined as N2 and N3, respectively.
  • N4 is used by the SMF 408 and the UPF 414 so that the UPF 414 can be set using the control signal generated by the SMF 408, and the UPF 414 can report its state to the SMF 408.
  • N9 is the reference point for the connection between different UPFs 414, and N14 is the reference point connecting between different AMFs 400, respectively.
  • N15 and N7 are defined since the PCF 410 applies policy to the AMF 400 and the SMF 408, respectively.
  • N12 is required for the AMF 400 to perform authentication of the UE 312.
  • N8 and N10 are defined because the subscription data of the UE is required for the AMF 400 and the SMF 408.
  • the 5G core network aims at separating user plane and control plane.
  • the user plane carries user traffic while the control plane carries signaling in the network.
  • the UPF 414 is in the user plane and all other NFs, i.e., the AMF 400, SMF 408, PCF 410, AF 412, NSSF 402, AUSF 404, and UDM 406, are in the control plane. Separating the user and control planes guarantees each plane resource to be scaled independently. It also allows UPFs 414 to be deployed separately from control plane functions in a distributed fashion. In this architecture, UPFs 414 may be deployed very close to UEs 312 to shorten the Round Trip Time (RTT) between UEs 312 and data network for some applications requiring low latency.
  • RTT Round Trip Time
  • the core 5G network architecture is composed of modularized functions.
  • the AMF 400 and SMF 408 are independent functions in the control plane. Separated AMF 400 and SMF 408 allow independent evolution and scaling.
  • Other control plane functions like the PCF 410 and AUSF 404 can be separated as shown in Figure 4.
  • Modularized function design enables the 5G core network to support various services flexibly.
  • Each NF interacts with another NF directly. It is possible to use intermediate functions to route messages from one NF to another NF.
  • a set of interactions between two NFs is defined as service so that its reuse is possible. This service enables support for modularity.
  • the user plane supports interactions such as forwarding operations between different UPFs 414.
  • Figure 5 illustrates a 5G network architecture using service-based interfaces between the NFs in the control plane, instead of the point-to-point reference
  • the NFs described above with reference to Figure 4 correspond to the NFs shown in Figure 5.
  • the service(s) etc. that a NF provides to other authorized NFs can be exposed to the authorized NFs through the service-based interface.
  • the service based interfaces are indicated by the letter "N" followed by the name of the NF, e.g. Namf for the service based interface of the AMF 400 and Nsmf for the service based interface of the SMF 408, etc.
  • the Network Exposure Function (NEF) 500 and the NRF 502 in Figure 5 are not shown in Figure 4 discussed above. Flowever, it should be clarified that all NFs depicted in Figure 4 can interact with the NEF 500 and the NRF 502 of Figure 5 as necessary, though not explicitly indicated in Figure 4.
  • the AMF 400 provides UE-based authentication, authorization, mobility management, etc.
  • a UE 312 even using multiple access technologies is basically connected to a single AMF 400 because the AMF 400 is independent of the access technologies.
  • the SMF 408 is responsible for session management and allocates Internet Protocol (IP) addresses to UEs 312. It also selects and controls the UPF 414 for data transfer. If a UE 312 has multiple sessions, different SMFs 408 may be allocated to each session to manage them individually and possibly provide different functionalities per session.
  • IP Internet Protocol
  • the AF 412 provides information on the packet flow to the PCF 410 responsible for policy control in order to support QoS. Based on the
  • the PCF 410 determines policies about mobility and session management to make the AMF 400 and SMF 408 operate properly.
  • the authentication function for UEs 312 or similar stores data for authentication of UEs 312 or similar while the UDM 406 stores subscription data of the UE 312.
  • the Data Network which is not part of the 5G core network, provides Internet access or operator services and similar.
  • An NF may be implemented either as a network element on a dedicated hardware, as a software instance running on a dedicated hardware, or as a virtualized function instantiated on an appropriate platform, e.g., a cloud infrastructure.
  • 3GPP Technical Report (TR) 23.724 Solution #8 provides an option for 5GS appearing as a (virtual) TSN bridge (black box) for integration with TSN, as described in section 6.8 of 3GPP TR 23.724.
  • the QoS framework enhancement to support deterministic QoS and fulfill the requirements for time-sensitive communication
  • the related QoS information supporting TSN communication is
  • TSN QoS Characteristics The TSN QoS characteristics include QoS
  • TSN traffic transmission parameters for TSN traffic transmission, such as latency of the TSN bridge, bandwidth information, priority level of TSN streams, etc. This part of the information can be mapped into QoS parameters in 5G QoS flows.
  • TSN Traffic Pattern The TSN traffic pattern includes information for TSN supporting, such as gate control parameters for scheduled traffic, etc.
  • This part of the information is identified as additional parameters for 5GS to fulfill the QoS requirement of TSN communications, which is not included in the 5G QoS model.
  • Time-aware scheduled traffic at the output of the TSN bridge is an approach as defined in Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.1 Qbv.
  • IEEE Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
  • 3GPP TR 23.724 Solution #16 describes an example of deterministic data flow defined by a window at both the ingress and egress side of 5GS.
  • a de-jittering function deployed at the edges of the 5GS e.g., UPF in uplink, and UE in downlink
  • UPF in uplink and UE in downlink
  • RAN2-1814992 the output scheduling of the 5GS has not been addressed.
  • Figure 6 illustrates a downlink example of 5GS support for periodic
  • FIG. 6 shows an example of 5GS output scheduling for downlink traffic.
  • the 5GS is modelled as a virtual TSN bridge as described in 3GPP TR 23.724 Solution#8.
  • the incoming TSN traffic from the preceding TSN node enters the 5GS at the UPF 414 or the UPF-side translator with an interval of Ti.
  • a de-jitter function (called a Hold and Forward Buffer in Solution#16) can be applied at the output of the 5GS, which, in this downlink case, is at the UE 312 or the UE side translator.
  • the de-jitter function holds up the TSN traffic up to the maximum 5GS delay (worst-case delay), and then forwards it to the next TSN node.
  • the 5GS deterministic delay (denoted as "X” in Figure 6) therefore can be achieved as the maximum 5GS delay.
  • the de-jitter function can only provide 5GS with deterministic latency; however, the periodicity or schedule of the TSN traffic can be lost due to the delay variations inside the 5GS.
  • the output pacing at egress of 5GS is needed.
  • the UE 312 or the UE side translator can learn the TSN scheduling information from the CNC, and then re-generate the scheduled TSN traffic pattern at the output of the 5G virtual bridge.
  • the de-jitter function and output scheduling/pacing function can be deployed at the UPF 414 or the translator at the UPF side.
  • 5G virtual bridge registration Based on the system architecture described in Figure 6.8-1 and Figure 6.8-2 of 3GPP TR 23.724 Solution #8, the 5GS appears to the external network as a TSN bridge. 5GS-specific procedures in the Core Network (CN) and RAN, wireless communication links, etc. remain hidden from the TSN network.
  • the 5GS bridge provides TSN ingress and egress ports via the so-called TSN Translator (device) on the UE side and via the "TSN Translator" (Control Plane (CP) and User Plane (UP)) on the CN side towards the DN.
  • TSN Translator Device
  • TSN Translator Control Plane (CP) and User Plane (UP)
  • the TSN Translator in CP (acting as a TSN AF) can collect 5GS virtual bridge related information (such as topology information, bridge capabilities) and register to the CNC as a TSN bridge.
  • 5GS virtual bridge related information such as topology information, bridge capabilities
  • 5G virtual bridge configuration The CNC of the TSN network can collect talkers' and listeners' stream requirements, from a CUC on behalf of end stations, and configure TSN-capable bridges to meet these requirements.
  • a "talker” is the sender or source
  • a "listener” is the receiver or destination.
  • the CNC negotiates the QoS requirement with the PCF via a TSN AF.
  • the TSN AF and PCF divide the TSN requirements into two parts: TSN QoS characteristics and traffic pattern information.
  • Figure 7 is an illustration of an example framework of TSN QoS mapping in 5GS.
  • Figure 7 shows 5G virtual bridge configuration for both TSN QoS characteristics and traffic pattern.
  • the TSN QoS characteristics can be mapped into the QoS parameters of the 5G QoS flows and controlled by the SMF 408 to configure the UE 1412, the base station 302 (i.e., the gNB), and the UPF 414 for QoS enforcement (see 3GPP TS 23.501 clause 5.7).
  • Time-aware traffic scheduling operates using a set of time-aware gates that precede a bridge's transmission selection function.
  • the time-aware gates are deployed in TSN ingress and egress ports, e.g. the TSN Translators in the UE and UPF.
  • the TSN traffic pattern should be made available at the UE side translator for downlink as Figure 8 shows, and at the UPF side translator for uplink direction as Figure 9 shows. Then the translator can use the traffic pattern information to perform output scheduling/pacing towards the next TSN node.
  • FIG. 8 is an illustration of downlink output scheduling/pacing using a TSN traffic pattern from the CNC.
  • Figure 8 illustrates 5GS downlink output scheduling.
  • the 5GS is modelled as TSN bridge (B), it receives TSN traffic from a preceding TSN node (A), then it sends out TSN traffic to TSN node (C) with a specific "traffic pattern B" which is received from the CNC.
  • TSN nodes (A) and (C) can be either a bridge or an end-station.
  • Figure 9 shows an uplink case. In other words, Figure 9 is an illustration of uplink output scheduling/packing using a TSN traffic pattern from the CNC.
  • Figure 10 illustrates the operation of the 5GS to provide an example implementation of the first embodiments.
  • Figure 10 illustrates a procedure for TSN related QoS configuration for a 5G virtual bridge. The steps of the procedure of Figure 10 are as follows.
  • Step 1 Based on the stream requirements from end stations (e.g., end stations 202 and 204), the CNC (e.g., a CNC station 208) computes a transmission schedule and network paths.
  • the CNC distributes the TSN QoS requirements and traffic pattern (specific for current node) to the 5G virtual bridge (e.g., the virtual TSN bridge 206-3) via a TSN AF (e.g., an AF 412).
  • the 5GS virtual bridge e.g., the TSN AF
  • the 5GS virtual bridge may pre-request or query the CNC for the TSN QoS and traffic information.
  • Step 2 The TSN AF forwards the TSN QoS requirements and traffic pattern to the PCF (e.g., PCF 410), directly or via the NEF (e.g., NEF 500).
  • PCF e.g., PCF 410
  • NEF e.g., NEF 500
  • Step 3 The PCF finds suitable 5G QoS policies and rules that can fulfill the TSN QoS characteristics (i.e., maps the TSN QoS characteristics to 5G QoS profiles).
  • Step 4 the PCF triggers the PDU session modification procedure to establish a new 5G QoS flow according to the selected QoS policies and rules.
  • the SMF e.g., SMF 408 configures the UE (e.g., UE 312), gNB (e.g., base station 302), and UPF (e.g., UPF 414) for QoS enforcement according to existing 3GPP procedure (see 3GPP TS 23.501 V15.8.0 clause 5.7). Every QoS flow has a QoS Flow Identifier (QFI). Therefore, for every mapped TSN flow, the QFI can be used to identify the link between the TSN traffic profile and the QoS flow.
  • An example mapping can be: QFI 5G QoS profile --> TSN QoS characteristics --> TSN traffic profile.
  • step 4b in a downlink direction, the PCF distributes the TSN traffic pattern to the UE via the SMF, e.g. Non-Access Stratum (NAS) signaling at PDU session setup/modification procedure.
  • a new information element may be added to provide TSN traffic pattern information which is associated to a QFI, then the UE can forward the TSN traffic pattern to the UE side translator.
  • the PCF distributes the TSN traffic pattern to the UPF via the SMF, e.g. 3GPP signaling at Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session establishment / modification procedure, N4 session establishment / modification procedure.
  • PDU Protocol Data Unit
  • N4 session establishment / modification procedure
  • the UPF side translator can get the traffic pattern for a specific TSN flow from the UPF and perform output scheduling/pacing at the egress port.
  • Step 5 The PCF responds to the TSN AF (directly or via the NEF).
  • Step 6 The TSN AF responds to the CNC.
  • RAN awareness of incoming TSN traffic pattern In 3GPP, the RAN group has an ongoing discussion on making use of the knowledge of the traffic pattern for radio optimization, e.g. to provide the UE with proper Semi-Persistent Scheduling (SPS) or Configured Grants configurations. Therefore, information of the traffic pattern (also referred to herein as "information related to the traffic pattern") such as periodicity and message size would be preferable. Also, information on when the periodic data arrives, i.e., a time reference or offset would be helpful. If such information is not available at the RAN, over-scheduling would need to be done in order to meet the TSN traffic requirements (e.g., latency).
  • SPS Semi-Persistent Scheduling
  • Configured Grants configurations e.g., Configured Grants configurations. Therefore, information of the traffic pattern (also referred to herein as "information related to the traffic pattern") such as periodicity and message size would be preferable. Also, information on when the periodic data arrives, i.e
  • the RAN could learn the traffic pattern and reduce its over-scheduling; however, radio resources, i.e. capacity, would be wasted during such a learning phase. Also, admission control for further users would need to be done more conservatively, if the actual resource need for current traffic is unclear. For those reasons, it would be beneficial for the RAN, if knowledge of the TSN traffic pattern, which is available at the 5G core interacting with TSN CNC, could be provided to the RAN beforehand. [0123] It is particularly important for uplink traffic, where frequent pre-scheduling, e.g. configured grants, would need to be proactively provided to the UE in order to meet uplink latency requirements. I.e., in particular for uplink scheduling, the RAN would benefit from the traffic knowledge.
  • 5G core network should provide / relay TSN traffic pattern of the incoming TSN traffic to the gNB so that the gNB can use the information to do better radio optimization.
  • FIG. 11 illustrates 5GS downlink output scheduling.
  • Figure 11 is an illustration of delivery of an additional TSN traffic pattern to the RAN for radio optimization (downlink).
  • the 5GS is modelled as TSN bridge (B).
  • the TSN bridge (B) receives "TSN traffic pattern B" for doing output scheduling at the UE for downlink traffic towards TSN node (C).
  • the TSN node (A) is the preceding node of the 5GS.
  • the output traffic from TSN node (A) follows "traffic pattern A.”
  • the CNC has both "traffic pattern A and B" information. Normally, the CNC only sends the relevant traffic pattern information to the bridge who needs to use it for output scheduling, e.g. "traffic pattern A” is only sent to TSN node (A). Therefore, for the output scheduling purpose, the 5GS only needs to distribute the "TSN traffic pattern B" from the AF to the UE translator in the downlink direction.
  • the gNB needs to be aware of the incoming TSN traffic pattern. Therefore 5GS requests "TSN traffic pattern A" from the CNC, and then forward it to the gNB.
  • Figure 12 is an illustration of delivery of an additional TSN traffic pattern to the RAN for radio optimization (uplink).
  • Figure 12 shows an uplink case where the TSN node (C) is the preceding node to 5GS. Therefore, besides the "TSN traffic pattern B" that is required for 5GS output scheduling, "traffic pattern C" is additionally delivered to the gNB for radio optimization purpose.
  • Figure 13 illustrates the operation of the 5GS to provide an example
  • Figure 13 illustrates a procedure in which the 5GS distributes an additional TSN traffic pattern to the gNB for radio optimization purpose.
  • the steps of the procedure of Figure 13 are as follows.
  • Step 1 The CNC (e.g., CNC station 208) distributes the TSN QoS
  • the 5G virtual bridge e.g., the virtual TSN bridge 206-3
  • the TSN AF e.g., AF 4112.
  • the AF can request the additional traffic pattern for the preceding TSN node from the CNC (e.g., triggered by CNC configuration event), i.e. when the CNC sends TSN QoS requirements and "traffic pattern B" to the AF as part of the bridge configuration request, the AF then asks the CNC for additional TSN traffic pattern information of the preceding TSN node.
  • the CNC e.g., triggered by CNC configuration event
  • the CNC sends TSN QoS requirements and "traffic pattern B" to the AF as part of the bridge configuration request
  • the 5GS may indicate the needs of the traffic pattern for both the current bridge and the preceding node. Then CNC may be configured to send both traffic patterns (e.g., both "TSN traffic pattern B" and "traffic pattern A” in Figure 11) to the 5G bridge. Flowever, the CNC behavior is out of scope of the present disclosure.
  • Step 2 The TSN AF forwards the additional TSN traffic pattern used by the preceding TSN node to the PCF (e.g., PCF 410), directly or via the NEF (e.g., NEF 500).
  • PCF e.g., PCF 410
  • NEF e.g., NEF 500
  • Step 3 The PCF finds suitable 5G QoS policies and rules that can fulfill the TSN QoS characteristics (i.e., maps the TSN QoS characteristics to 5G QoS profiles).
  • Step 4a The SMF triggers the PDU session modification procedure to establish a new 5G QoS flow according to the selected QoS policies and rules.
  • the SMF e.g., SMF 408 configures the UE (e.g., UE 412), gNB (e.g., base station 302), and UPF (e.g., UPF 414) for QoS enforcement according to the existing 3GPP procedure (see TS 23.501 V15.8.0 clause 5.7). Every QoS flow has a QFI. Therefore, for every mapped TSN flow, the QFI can be used to identify the link between TSN traffic profile and QoS flow.
  • An example mapping can be: QFI 5G QoS profile TSN QoS
  • Step 4b In both uplink and downlink direction, the PCF distributes the additional TSN traffic pattern used by the preceding TSN node to the RAN (e.g., to the gNB) via the SMF and AMF (e.g., AMF 400).
  • the additional TSN traffic pattern used by the preceding TSN node and associated QFI reference are sent from the SMF to the RAN via N2 information using the existing PDU session establishment/modification procedure.
  • a new information element may be introduced in the N2 information to carry the additional TSN traffic pattern and QFI reference.
  • the PDU session resources setup/modification procedure can be used to carry the additional TSN information from the AMF to the gNB, e.g. Next Generation Application Protocol (NGAP) over N2 (see 3GPP TS 38.413 V15.5.0).
  • NGAP Next Generation Application Protocol
  • the QFI reference is used by the gNB to link the additional TSN traffic pattern to a specific TSN flow.
  • Step 5 The PCF responds to the TSN AF (directly or via the NEF).
  • Step 6 The TSN AF responds to the CNC.
  • FIG. 14 is a schematic block diagram of a radio access node 1400 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.
  • the radio access node 1400 may be, for example, a base station 302 or 306.
  • the radio access node 1400 includes a control system 1402 that includes one or more processors 1404 (e.g., Central Processing Units (CPUs), Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), Field
  • the radio access node 1400 includes one or more radio units 1410 that each includes one or more transmitters 1412 and one or more receivers 1414 coupled to one or more antennas 1416.
  • the radio units 1410 may be referred to or be part of radio interface circuitry.
  • the radio unit(s) 1410 is external to the control system 1402 and connected to the control system 1402 via, e.g., a wired connection (e.g., an optical cable).
  • the radio unit(s) 1410 and potentially the antenna(s) 1416 are integrated together with the control system 1402.
  • the one or more processors 1404 operate to provide one or more functions of a radio access node 1400 as described herein.
  • the function(s) are implemented in software that is stored, e.g., in the memory 1406 and executed by the one or more processors 1404.
  • Figure 15 is a schematic block diagram that illustrates a virtualized embodiment of the radio access node 1400 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. This discussion is equally applicable to other types of network nodes. Further, other types of network nodes may have similar virtualized
  • a "virtualized" radio access node is an implementation of the radio access node 1400 in which at least a portion of the functionality of the radio access node 1400 is implemented as a virtual component(s) (e.g., via a virtual machine(s) executing on a physical processing node(s) in a network(s)).
  • the radio access node 1400 includes the control system 1402 that includes the one or more processors 1404 (e.g., CPUs, ASICs, FPGAs, and/or the like), the memory 1406, and the network interface 1408 and the one or more radio units 1410 that each includes the one or more transmitters 1412 and the one or more receivers 1414 coupled to the one or more antennas 1416, as described above.
  • the control system 1402 is connected to the radio unit(s) 1410 via, for example, an optical cable or the like.
  • the control system 1402 is connected to one or more processing nodes 1500 coupled to or included as part of a network(s) 1502 via the network interface 1408.
  • Each processing node 1500 includes one or more processors 1504 (e.g., CPUs, ASICs, FPGAs, and/or the like), memory 1506, and a network interface 1508.
  • functions 1510 of the radio access node 1400 described herein are implemented at the one or more processing nodes 1500 or distributed across the control system 1402 and the one or more processing nodes 1500 in any desired manner.
  • some or all of the functions 1510 of the radio access node 1400 described herein are implemented as virtual components executed by one or more virtual machines implemented in a virtual environ ment(s) hosted by the processing node(s) 1500.
  • additional signaling or communication between the processing node(s) 1500 and the control system 1402 is used in order to carry out at least some of the desired functions 1510.
  • the control system 1402 may not be included, in which case the radio unit(s) 1410 communicate directly with the processing node(s) 1500 via an appropriate network interface(s).
  • a computer program including instructions which, when executed by at least one processor, causes the at least one processor to carry out the functionality of radio access node 1400 or a node (e.g., a processing node 1500) implementing one or more of the functions 1510 of the radio access node 1400 in a virtual environment according to any of the embodiments described herein is provided.
  • a carrier comprising the aforementioned computer program product is provided. The carrier is one of an electronic signal, an optical signal, a radio signal, or a computer readable storage medium (e.g., a non-transitory computer readable medium such as memory).
  • FIG 16 is a schematic block diagram of the radio access node 1400 according to some other embodiments of the present disclosure.
  • the radio access node 1400 includes one or more modules 1600, each of which is implemented in software.
  • the module(s) 1600 provide the functionality of the radio access node 1400 described herein. This discussion is equally applicable to the processing node 1500 of Figure 15 where the modules 1600 may be implemented at one of the processing nodes 1500 or distributed across multiple processing nodes 1500 and/or distributed across the processing node(s) 1500 and the control system 1402.
  • FIG. 17 is a schematic block diagram of a UE 1700 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.
  • the UE 1700 includes one or more processors 1702 (e.g., CPUs, ASICs, FPGAs, and/or the like), memory 1704, and one or more transceivers 1706 each including one or more transmitters 1708 and one or more receivers 1710 coupled to one or more antennas 1712.
  • the transceiver(s) 1706 includes radio-front end circuitry connected to the antenna(s) 1712 that is configured to condition signals communicated between the antenna(s) 1712 and the processor(s) 1702, as will be appreciated by on of ordinary skill in the art.
  • the processors 1702 are also referred to herein as processing circuitry.
  • the transceivers 1706 are also referred to herein as radio circuitry.
  • the functionality of the UE 1700 described above may be fully or partially implemented in software that is, e.g., stored in the memory 1704 and executed by the processor(s) 1702.
  • the UE 1700 may include additional components not illustrated in Figure 17 such as, e.g., one or more user interface components (e.g., an input/output interface including a display, buttons, a touch screen, a microphone, a speaker(s), and/or the like and/or any other
  • a power supply e.g., a battery and associated power circuitry
  • a computer program including instructions which, when executed by at least one processor, causes the at least one processor to carry out the functionality of the UE 1700 according to any of the embodiments described herein is provided.
  • a carrier comprising the aforementioned computer program product is provided.
  • the carrier is one of an electronic signal, an optical signal, a radio signal, or a computer readable storage medium (e.g., a non-transitory computer readable medium such as memory).
  • FIG 18 is a schematic block diagram of the UE 1700 according to some other embodiments of the present disclosure.
  • the UE 1700 includes one or more modules 1800, each of which is implemented in software.
  • the module(s) 1800 provide the functionality of the UE 1700 described herein.
  • any appropriate steps, methods, features, functions, or benefits disclosed herein may be performed through one or more functional units or modules of one or more virtual apparatuses.
  • Each virtual apparatus may comprise a number of these functional units.
  • These functional units may be implemented via processing circuitry, which may include one or more microprocessor or microcontrollers, as well as other digital hardware, which may include Digital Signal Processor (DSPs), special-purpose digital logic, and the like.
  • the processing circuitry may be configured to execute program code stored in memory, which may include one or several types of memory such as Read Only Memory (ROM), Random Access Memory (RAM), cache memory, flash memory devices, optical storage devices, etc.
  • Program code stored in memory includes program instructions for executing one or more telecommunications and/or data communications protocols as well as instructions for carrying out one or more of the techniques described herein.
  • the processing circuitry may be used to cause the respective functional unit to perform corresponding functions according one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.
  • Embodiment 1 A method of operation of a Time-Sensitive Networking, TSN, application function associated with a cellular communications system that operates as a virtual TSN node in a TSN, comprising: receiving, from a controller associated with the TSN, one or more TSN Quality of Service, QoS, parameters for the virtual TSN node and information related to a traffic pattern for the virtual TSN node; and providing, to a core network function in a core network of a Fifth Generation System, 5GS, the one or more TSN QoS parameters for the virtual TSN node and the information related to the traffic pattern for the virtual TSN node.
  • TSN Time-Sensitive Networking
  • Embodiment 2 The method of embodiment 1 wherein the one or more TSN QoS parameters for the virtual TSN node comprise one or more QoS parameters for TSN traffic transmission.
  • Embodiment 3 The method of embodiment 2 wherein the one or more QoS parameters for TSN traffic transmission comprise latency of the virtual TSN node, bandwidth information, and/or priority level of TSN streams.
  • Embodiment 4 The method of any one of embodiments 1 to 3 wherein the information related to the traffic pattern for the virtual TSN node comprises gate control parameters for scheduled traffic.
  • Embodiment 5 The method of any one of embodiments 1 to 4 wherein the information related to the traffic pattern for the virtual TSN node comprises parameters that are not included in the cellular communications system model that are needed for the cellular communications system to fulfill TSN QoS requirements of TSN
  • Embodiment 6 The method of any one of embodiments 1 to 5 wherein the core network function is a Policy Control Function, PCF.
  • PCF Policy Control Function
  • Embodiment 7 The method of any one of embodiments 1 to 5 wherein the cellular communications system is a 5GS.
  • Embodiment 8 The method of embodiment 7 wherein the core network function is a Policy Control Function, PCF.
  • PCF Policy Control Function
  • Embodiment 9 A method of operation of a core network function in a cellular communications system that operates as a virtual Time-Sensitive Networking, TSN, node in a TSN, comprising: receiving one or more TSN Quality of Service, QoS, parameters for the virtual TSN node and information related to a traffic pattern for the virtual TSN node; mapping the one or more TSN QoS parameters to one or more QoS policies in the cellular communications system and/or rules in the cellular
  • Embodiment 10 The method of embodiment 9 wherein the one or more TSN QoS parameters for the virtual TSN node comprise one or more QoS parameters for TSN traffic transmission.
  • Embodiment 11 The method of embodiment 10 wherein the one or more QoS parameters for TSN traffic transmission comprise latency of the virtual TSN node, bandwidth information, and/or priority level of TSN streams.
  • Embodiment 12 The method of any one of embodiments 9 to 11 wherein the information related to the traffic pattern for the virtual TSN node comprises gate control parameters for scheduled traffic.
  • Embodiment 13 The method of any one of embodiments 9 to 12 wherein the information related to the traffic pattern for the virtual TSN node comprise parameters that are not included in the cellular communications system model that are needed for the cellular communications system to fulfill TSN QoS requirements of TSN communications.
  • Embodiment 14 The method of any one of embodiments 9 to 13 wherein applying the one or more QoS policies and/or the one or more rules in the cellular communications system comprises triggering a Protocol Data Unit, PDU, session modification procedure to establish a new QoS flow for TSN traffic according to one or more QoS policies and/or the one or more rules.
  • PDU Protocol Data Unit
  • Embodiment 15 The method of any one of embodiments 9 to 14 wherein the cellular communications system is a Fifth Generation System, 5GS, and, for TSN traffic in an uplink direction, providing at least some of the information related to the traffic pattern for the virtual TSN node to another node in the cellular communications system comprises providing (directly or indirectly) at least some of the information related to the traffic pattern for the virtual TSN node to a User Plane Function, UPF, in a core network of the 5GS that operates as part of the virtual TSN node.
  • UPF User Plane Function
  • Embodiment 16 The method of any one of embodiments 9 to 14 wherein the cellular communication system is a Fifth Generation System, 5GS, and, for TSN traffic in a downlink direction, providing at least some of the information related to the traffic pattern for the virtual TSN node to another node in the cellular communications system comprises providing (directly or indirectly) at least some of the information related to the traffic pattern for the virtual TSN node to a User Equipment, UE, that operates as part of the virtual TSN node.
  • 5GS Fifth Generation System
  • UE User Equipment
  • Embodiment 17 The method of any one of embodiments 9 to 16 wherein the cellular communications system is a Fifth Generation System, 5GS.
  • Embodiment 18 The method of embodiment 17 wherein the core network function is a Policy Control Function, PCF.
  • PCF Policy Control Function
  • Embodiment 19 A method of operation of a node in a cellular
  • TSN Time-Sensitive Networking
  • Embodiment 20 The method of embodiment 19 wherein the cellular communication system is a Fifth Generation System, 5GS, and, for TSN traffic in a downlink direction, the node is a User Equipment, UE, that operates as part of the virtual TSN node.
  • 5GS Fifth Generation System
  • UE User Equipment
  • Embodiment 21 The method of embodiment 19 wherein the cellular communication system is a Fifth Generation System, 5GS, and, for TSN traffic in an uplink direction, the node is a User Plane Function, UPF, in a core network of the 5GS that operates as part of the virtual TSN node.
  • the cellular communication system is a Fifth Generation System, 5GS
  • the node is a User Plane Function, UPF, in a core network of the 5GS that operates as part of the virtual TSN node.
  • UPF User Plane Function
  • Embodiment 22 A method of operation of a Time-Sensitive Networking, TSN, application function associated with a cellular communications system that operates as a virtual TSN node in a TSN, comprising: receiving, from a controller associated with the TSN, information related to a traffic pattern for a preceding TSN node in the TSN, the preceding TSN node is a TSN node in the TSN that precedes the virtual TSN node in a direction of TSN traffic flow; and providing, to a core network function in a core network of the 5GS, the information related to the traffic pattern for the preceding TSN node.
  • Embodiment 23 The method of embodiment 22 wherein the information related to the traffic pattern for the preceding TSN node comprises periodicity and/or message size.
  • Embodiment 24 The method of embodiment 22 or 23 wherein the information related to the traffic pattern for the preceding TSN node comprises information on when periodic TSN data from the preceding TSN node is to arrive.
  • Embodiment 25 The method of any one of embodiments 22 to 24 wherein the core network function is a Policy Control Function, PCF.
  • PCF Policy Control Function
  • Embodiment 26 The method of any one of embodiments 22 to 25 wherein the cellular communications system is a Fifth Generation System, 5GS.
  • Embodiment 27 The method of embodiment 26 wherein the core network function is a Policy Control Function, PCF.
  • PCF Policy Control Function
  • Embodiment 28 The method of any one of embodiments 22 to 24 further comprising the method of any one of embodiments 1 to 8.
  • Embodiment 29 A method of operation of a core network function in a cellular communications system that operates as a virtual Time-Sensitive Networking, TSN, node in a TSN, comprising: receiving information related to a traffic pattern for a preceding TSN node in the TSN, the preceding TSN node is a TSN node in the TSN that precedes the virtual TSN node in a direction of TSN traffic flow; providing (directly or indirectly) at least some of the information related to the traffic pattern for the preceding TSN node one or more radio access nodes in the cellular communications system.
  • TSN Time-Sensitive Networking
  • Embodiment 30 The method of embodiment 29 wherein the information related to the traffic pattern for the preceding TSN node comprises periodicity and/or message size.
  • Embodiment 31 The method of embodiment 29 or 30 wherein the information related to the traffic pattern for the preceding TSN node comprises information on when periodic TSN data from the preceding TSN node is to arrive.
  • Embodiment 32 The method of any one of embodiments 29 to 31 wherein the cellular communications system is a Fifth Generation System, 5GS.
  • Embodiment 33 The method of embodiment 32 wherein the core network function is a Policy Control Function, PCF.
  • Embodiment 34 The method of any one of embodiments 29 to 31 wherein the method further comprises the method of any one of embodiments 9 to 18.
  • Embodiment 35 A node for a cellular communications system that operates as a virtual Time-Sensitive Networking, TSN, node in a TSN, the node adapted to perform the method of any one of embodiments 1 to 34.
  • TSN Time-Sensitive Networking
  • Embodiment 36 A node for a cellular communications system that operates as a virtual Time-Sensitive Networking, TSN, node in a TSN, the node comprising:
  • processing circuitry operable to cause the node to perform the method of any one of embodiments 1 to 34.
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Abstract

Systems and methods related to Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN)-cellular communication system Quality of Service (QoS) mapping are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method performed for operating a cellular communications system as a virtual TSN node in a TSN system comprises, at a TSN application function, receiving one or more TSN QoS parameters for the virtual TSN node from a controller associated with the TSN system and providing the one or more TSN QoS parameters to a core network function in a core network of the cellular communications system. The method further comprises, at the core network function, receiving the one or more TSN QoS parameters, mapping them to one or more QoS policies and/or one or more rules in the cellular communications system, and applying the one or more QoS policies and/or the one or more rules in the cellular communications system.

Description

TSN-CELLULAR COMMUNICATION SYSTEM QoS MAPPING AND RAN OPTIMIZA TION BASED ON TSN TRAFFIC PA TTERN RELA TED INFORMA TION
Related Applications
[0001] This application claims the benefit of provisional patent application serial number 62/792,430, filed January 15, 2019, the disclosure of which is hereby
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Technical Field
[0002] The present disclosure relates to a cellular communications system and, more specifically, to a cellular communications system that operates as a virtual node in a Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) network.
Background
[0003] The manufacturing industry is undergoing a digital transformation towards the "Fourth Industrial Revolution" (Industry 4.0) [1] towards smart manufacturing. Flexible connectivity infrastructure is a key enabler for manufacturing to interconnect machines, products, and all kinds of other devices in a flexible, secure, and consistent manner.
[0004] The Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Fifth Generation (5G) system, as an alternative to or complementing the wired connectivity solution, should support new requirements and challenges coming from these vertical domains. 3GPP has a study on Communication for Automation in Vertical Domains (Technical Report (TR) 22.804), where many use cases from vertical domains are analyzed. Industrial automation applications such as motion control have extremely stringent service requirements on high availability, ultra-reliable, low latency, low jitter, and determinism, e.g., 1-10 milliseconds (ms) end-to-end latency, 1-100 microsecond (ps) packet delay variation [2].
[0005] Today, wireline fieldbus solutions such as PROFINET®, EtherCAT®, and Ethernet/Internet Protocol (IP) are mostly used in the factory shop floor to interconnect sensors, actuators, and controllers in an automation system. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.1 Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) as a novel technology will be able to provide manufacturing industries with deterministic, guaranteed latencies and extremely low packet loss services through standard IEEE 802 networks in the near future.
[0006] One of the IEEE 802.1 TSN standards, 802.1Qbv, can provide on-time delivery of TSN frames. It defines a means to transmit certain Ethernet frames on a time-based schedule. IEEE 802.1Qbv requires time synchronization, i.e. each bridge has to be aware of the same time.
[0007] Figure 1 shows an example of a TSN setup 100. An industrial controller 102 on the right-hand side of the figure and a robot 104 on the left-hand side of the figure are called end stations that are connected through several TSN bridges 106. In this specific example, there are three TSN bridges, denoted as TSN bridges 106-1, 106-2, and 106-3. The TSN network can be configured in different ways. In a static configuration, the end stations 102 and 104 and the TSN bridges 106 are configured during network setup. In a centralized network configuration setup, all configurations of TSN bridges 106 for TSN streams is performed by a Centralized Network
Configuration (CNC) station 108, which configures the network resource reservations and is responsible for coordinating any changes to those configured reservations with any new reservations. Reservations can be made or requested by end stations. In a fully centralized setup where both the network and the user configuration are centralized, the CNC station 108 receives the requirements of the data flows from a Central User Configuration (CUC) entity 110 and then computes the route, the time schedules needed for the end-to-end transmission for each TSN flow, and configures the TSN bridges 106 with the computed time schedule.
[0008] There currently exist certain challenge(s). It is desirable to utilize a 5G System (5GS) as a virtual TSN node (e.g., a virtual TSN bridge). This brings about new challenges that must be addressed.
Summary
[0009] Systems and methods related to integration of a Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) network and a cellular communications system and, more specifically, TSN- cellular communication system Quality of Service (QoS) mapping and Radio Access Network (RAN) optimization based on TSN traffic pattern related information.
Embodiments of a method of operation of TSN application function are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method of operation of a TSN application function associated with a cellular communications system that operates as a virtual TSN node in a TSN system comprises receiving, from a controller associated with the TSN system, one or more TSN QoS parameters for the virtual TSN node. The method further comprises providing, to a core network function in a core network of the cellular communications system, the one or more TSN QoS parameters for the virtual TSN node.
[0010] In some embodiments, the one or more TSN QoS parameters for the virtual TSN node comprise one or more QoS parameters for TSN traffic transmission. In some embodiments, the one or more QoS parameters for TSN traffic transmission comprise: (a) a latency of the virtual TSN node, (b) bandwidth information, (c) a priority level of one or more TSN streams to be communicated via the virtual TSN node, or any combination of two or more of (a)-(c).
[0011] In some embodiments, the method further comprises receiving, from the controller associated with the TSN system, information related to a traffic pattern for the virtual TSN node, and providing, to the core network function in the core network of the cellular communications system, the information related to the traffic pattern for the virtual TSN node. In some embodiments, the information related to the traffic pattern for the virtual TSN node comprises gate control parameters for scheduled traffic. In some embodiments, the information related to the traffic pattern for the virtual TSN node comprises parameters that are not included in a model of the cellular
communications system that are needed for the cellular communications system to fulfill TSN QoS requirements of TSN communications.
[0012] In some embodiments, the core network function is a Policy Control Function (PCF).
[0013] In some embodiments, the cellular communications system is a Fifth
Generation System (5GS). Further, in some embodiments, the core network function is a PCF in the 5GS.
[0014] Embodiments of a TSN application function are also disclosed. In some embodiments, a TSN application function associated with a cellular communications system that operates as a virtual TSN node in a TSN system is adapted to receive, from a controller associated with the TSN system, one or more TSN QoS parameters for the virtual TSN node and provide the one or more TSN QoS parameters for the virtual TSN node to a core network function in a core network of the cellular communications system. [0015] In some embodiments, the TSN application function is implemented on a network node, wherein the network node comprises processing circuitry configured to, in order to perform operations of the TSN application function, cause the network node to receive the one or more TSN QoS parameters for the virtual TSN node from the controller associated with the TSN system and provide the one or more TSN QoS parameters for the virtual TSN node to the core network function.
[0016] Embodiments of a method of operation of a core network function are also disclosed. In some embodiments, a method of operation of a core network function in a cellular communications system that operates as a virtual TSN node in a TSN system comprises receiving, from a TSN application function, one or more TSN QoS parameters for the virtual TSN node and mapping the one or more TSN QoS parameters to one or more QoS policies in the cellular communications system, one or more rules in the cellular communications system, or both one or more QoS policies in the cellular communications system and one or more rules in the cellular communications system. The method further comprises applying the one or more QoS policies, the one or more rules, or both the one or more QoS policies and the one or more rules in the cellular communications system.
[0017] In some embodiments, the one or more TSN QoS parameters for the virtual TSN node comprise one or more QoS parameters for TSN traffic transmission. In some embodiments, the one or more QoS parameters for TSN traffic transmission comprise: (a) a latency of the virtual TSN node, (b) bandwidth information, (c) priority level of one or more TSN streams to be communicated via the virtual TSN node, or any combination of two or more of (a)-(c).
[0018] In some embodiments, the method further comprises receiving, from the TSN application function, information related to a traffic pattern for the virtual TSN node (206-3). The method further comprises providing, directly or indirectly, at least some of the information related to the traffic pattern for the virtual TSN node to another node in the cellular communications system. In some embodiments, the information related to the traffic pattern for the virtual TSN node comprises gate control parameters for scheduled traffic. In some embodiments, the information related to the traffic pattern for the virtual TSN node comprises parameters that are not included in a model of the cellular communications system that are needed for the cellular communications system to fulfill TSN QoS requirements of TSN communications. [0019] In some embodiments, the cellular communications system is a 5GS and, for TSN traffic in an uplink direction, providing the at least some of the information related to the traffic pattern for the virtual TSN node to another node in the cellular
communications system comprises providing, directly or indirectly, the at least some of the information related to the traffic pattern for the virtual TSN node to a User Plane Function (UPF) in a core network of the 5GS that operates as part of the virtual TSN node.
[0020] In some embodiments, the cellular communication system is a 5GS and, for TSN traffic in a downlink direction, providing the at least some of the information related to the traffic pattern for the virtual TSN node to another node in the cellular communications system comprises providing, directly or indirectly, the at least some of the information related to the traffic pattern for the virtual TSN node to a User
Equipment (UE) that operates as part of the virtual TSN node.
[0021] In some embodiments, applying the one or more QoS policies, the one or more rules, or both the one or more QoS policies and the one or more rules, in the cellular communications system, comprises triggering a Packet Data Unit (PDU) session modification procedure to establish a new QoS flow for TSN traffic according to the one or more QoS policies, the one or more rules, or both the one or more QoS policies and the one or more rules.
[0022] In some embodiments, the cellular communications system is a 5GS. In some embodiments, the core network function is a Policy Control Function (PCF).
[0023] Corresponding embodiments of a core network function are also disclosed. In some embodiments, a core network function for a cellular communications system that operates as a virtual TSN node in a TSN system is adapted to receive one or more TSN QoS parameters for the virtual TSN node, map the one or more TSN QoS parameters to one or more QoS policies in the cellular communications system, one or more rules in the cellular communications system, or both one or more QoS policies in the cellular communications system and one or more rules in the cellular communications system, and apply the one or more QoS policies, the one or more rules, or both the one or more QoS policies and the one or more rules, in the cellular communications system.
[0024] In some embodiments, the core network function is implemented on a network node, wherein the network node comprises processing circuitry configured to, in order to perform operations of the core network function, cause the network node to receive the one or more TSN QoS parameters for the virtual TSN node, map the one or more TSN QoS parameters to one or more QoS policies in the cellular communications system, one or more rules in the cellular communications system, or both one or more QoS policies in the cellular communications system and one or more rules in the cellular communications system, and apply the one or more QoS policies, the one or more rules, or both the one or more QoS policies and the one or more rules in the cellular communications system.
[0025] Embodiments of a method of operation of a node in a cellular
communications system where the cellular communications system operates as a virtual TSN node in a TSN system are also disclosed. In some embodiments, a method of operation of a node in a cellular communications system where the cellular
communications system operates as a virtual TSN node in a TSN system comprises receiving, from another node in the cellular communications system, information related to a traffic pattern for the virtual TSN node and forwarding the information to an associated traffic translator such that the associated traffic translator outputs TSN traffic in accordance with the traffic pattern for the virtual TSN node.
[0026] In some embodiments, the cellular communication system is a 5GS and, for TSN traffic in a downlink direction, the node is a UE that operates as part of the virtual TSN node.
[0027] In some embodiments, the cellular communication system is a 5GS and, for TSN traffic in an uplink direction, the node is a UPF in a core network of the 5GS that operates as part of the virtual TSN node.
[0028] Corresponding embodiments of a node in a cellular communications system where the cellular communications system operates as a virtual TSN node in a TSN system are also disclosed. In some embodiments, a node in a cellular communications system where the cellular communications system operates as a virtual TSN node in a TSN system is adapted to receive, from another node in the cellular communications system, information related to a traffic pattern for the virtual TSN node and forward the information to an associated traffic translator such that the associated traffic translator outputs TSN traffic in accordance with the traffic pattern for the virtual TSN node.
[0029] In some embodiments, the node comprises processing circuitry configured to cause the node to receive, from another node in the cellular communications system, information related to a traffic pattern for the virtual TSN node and forward the information to an associated traffic translator such that the associated traffic translator outputs TSN traffic in accordance with the traffic pattern for the virtual TSN node.
[0030] Embodiments of a method of operation of a radio access node are also disclosed. In some embodiments, a method of operation of a radio access node in a radio access network of a cellular communications system, the cellular communications system operating as a virtual TSN node in a TSN system, comprises receiving
information related to a traffic pattern for a preceding TSN node in the TSN system, wherein the preceding TSN node is a TSN node in the TSN system that precedes the virtual TSN node in a direction of TSN traffic flow. The method further comprises performing one or more actions based on the received information.
[0031] In some embodiments, the one or more actions are related to optimization of the radio access network for TSN traffic.
[0032] In some embodiments, the one or more actions comprise providing an associated UE with Semi-Persistent Scheduling (SPS) or configured grants
configurations, based on the received information.
[0033] In some embodiments, the received information comprises periodicity.
[0034] In some embodiments, the received information comprises periodicity of TSN traffic received by the virtual TSN node from the preceding TSN node.
[0035] In some embodiments, the received information comprises message size.
[0036] In some embodiments, the received information comprises message size of TSN traffic received by the virtual TSN node from the preceding TSN node.
[0037] In some embodiments, the received information comprises information on when periodic data is to arrive at the virtual TSN node from the preceding TSN node.
[0038] Corresponding embodiments of a radio access node are also disclosed. In some embodiments, a radio access node in a radio access network of a cellular communications system, the cellular communications system operating as a virtual TSN node in a TSN system, is adapted to receive information related to a traffic pattern for a preceding TSN node in the TSN system, wherein the preceding TSN node is a TSN node in the TSN system that precedes the virtual TSN node in a direction of TSN traffic flow. The radio access node is further adapted to perform one or more actions based on the received information.
[0039] In some embodiments, the radio access node comprises processing circuitry configured to cause the radio access node to receive the information related to the traffic pattern for the preceding TSN node in the TSN system and perform the one or more actions based on the received information.
[0040] In some embodiments, a method performed for operating a cellular communications system as a virtual TSN node in a TSN system comprises, at a TSN application function associated with the cellular communications system, receiving one or more TSN QoS parameters for the virtual TSN node from a controller associated with the TSN system and providing the one or more TSN QoS parameters for the virtual TSN node to a core network function in a core network of the cellular communications system. The method further comprises, at the core network function, receiving the one or more TSN QoS parameters for the virtual TSN node, mapping the one or more TSN QoS parameters to one or more QoS policies in the cellular communications system, one or more rules in the cellular communications system, or both one or more QoS policies in the cellular communications system and one or more rules in the cellular
communications system, and applying the one or more QoS policies, the one or more rules, or both the one or more QoS policies and the one or more rules, in the cellular communications system.
[0041] In some embodiments, the method further comprises, at the TSN application function, receiving information related to a traffic pattern for the virtual TSN node from the controller associated with the TSN system and providing the information related to the traffic pattern for the virtual TSN node to the core network function in the core network of the cellular communications system. The method further comprises, at the core network function, receiving the one or more TSN QoS parameters for the virtual TSN node and the information related to the traffic pattern for the virtual TSN node and providing, directly or indirectly, at least some of the information related to the traffic pattern for the virtual TSN node to another node in the cellular communications system. The method further comprises, at the another node in the cellular communications system, receiving, from the core network function, the at least some of the information related to the traffic pattern for the virtual TSN node and forwarding the at least some of the information to an associated traffic translator such that the associated traffic translator outputs TSN traffic in accordance with the traffic pattern for the virtual TSN node.
[0042] Some other embodiments of a method of operation of a TSN application function are also disclosed. In some embodiments, a method of operation of a TSN application function associated with a cellular communications system that operates as a virtual TSN node in a TSN system comprises receiving, from a controller associated with the TSN system, information related to a traffic pattern for a preceding TSN node in the TSN system, wherein the preceding TSN node is a TSN node in the TSN system that precedes the virtual TSN node in a direction of TSN traffic flow. The method further comprises providing, to a core network function in a core network of the cellular communications system, the information related to the traffic pattern for the preceding TSN node.
[0043] In some embodiments, the information related to the traffic pattern for the preceding TSN node comprises periodicity, message size, or both periodicity and message size.
[0044] In some embodiments, the information related to the traffic pattern for the preceding TSN node comprises information on when periodic TSN data from the preceding TSN node is to arrive at the virtual TSN node.
[0045] In some embodiments, the core network function is a PCF.
[0046] In some embodiments, the cellular communications system is a 5GS. In some embodiments, the core network function is a PCF.
[0047] Corresponding embodiments of a TSN application function are also disclosed. In some embodiments, a TSN application function associated with a cellular
communications system that operates as a virtual TSN node in a TSN system is adapted to receive, from a controller associated with the TSN system, information related to a traffic pattern for a preceding TSN node in the TSN system, wherein the preceding TSN node is a TSN node in the TSN system that precedes the virtual TSN node in a direction of TSN traffic flow. The TSN application function is further adapted to provide, to a core network function in a core network of the cellular communications system, the information related to the traffic pattern for the preceding TSN node.
[0048] In some embodiments, the TSN application function is implemented on a network node, wherein the network node comprises processing circuitry configured to, in order to perform operations of the TSN application function, cause the network node to receive the information related to the traffic pattern for the preceding TSN node from the controller associated with the TSN system and provide the information related to the traffic pattern for the preceding TSN node to the core network function. [0049] Some other embodiments of a method of operation of a core network function are also disclosed. In some embodiments, a method of operation of a core network function in a cellular communications system that operates as a virtual TSN node in a TSN system comprises receiving information related to a traffic pattern for a preceding TSN node in the TSN system, wherein the preceding TSN node is a TSN node in the TSN system that precedes the virtual TSN node in a direction of TSN traffic flow. The method further comprises providing, directly or indirectly, at least some of the information related to the traffic pattern for the preceding TSN node to one or more radio access nodes in the cellular communications system.
[0050] In some embodiments, the information related to the traffic pattern for the preceding TSN node comprises periodicity, message size, or both periodicity and message size.
[0051] In some embodiments, the information related to the traffic pattern for the preceding TSN node comprises information on when periodic TSN data from the preceding TSN node is to arrive at the virtual TSN node.
[0052] In some embodiments, the cellular communications system is a 5GS. In some embodiments, the core network function is a PCF.
[0053] Corresponding embodiments of a core network function are also disclosed. In some embodiments, a core network function for a cellular communications system that operates as a virtual TSN node in a TSN system is adapted to receive information related to a traffic pattern for a preceding TSN node in the TSN system, wherein the preceding TSN node is a TSN node in the TSN system that precedes the virtual TSN node in a direction of TSN traffic flow. The core network function is further adapted to provide, directly or indirectly, at least some of the information related to the traffic pattern for the preceding TSN node to one or more radio access nodes in the cellular communications system.
[0054] In some embodiments, the core network function is implemented on a network node, wherein the network node comprises processing circuitry configured to, in order to perform operations of the core network function, cause the network node to receive the information related to a traffic pattern for the preceding TSN node and provide, directly or indirectly, the at least some of the information related to the traffic pattern for the preceding TSN node to the one or more radio access nodes in the cellular communications system. [0055] In some embodiments, a method performed for operating a cellular communications system as a virtual TSN node in a TSN system comprises, at a TSN application function associated with the cellular communications system, receiving information related to a traffic pattern for a preceding TSN node in the TSN system from a controller associated with the TSN system, wherein the preceding TSN node is a TSN node in the TSN system that precedes the virtual TSN node in a direction of TSN traffic flow. The method further comprises, at the TSN application function, providing the information related to the traffic pattern for the preceding TSN node to a core network function in a core network of the cellular communications system. The method further comprises, at the core network function, receiving the information related to the traffic pattern for the preceding TSN node and providing, directly or indirectly, at least some of the information related to the traffic pattern for the preceding TSN node to one or more radio access nodes in the cellular communications system.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0056] The accompanying drawing figures incorporated in and forming a part of this specification illustrate several aspects of the disclosure, and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the disclosure.
[0057] Figure 1 illustrates an example of a Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) setup;
[0058] Figure 2 illustrates an example of a TSN system including a virtual TSN node in which embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented;
[0059] Figure 3 illustrates one example of a cellular communications network according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;
[0060] Figure 4 illustrates a wireless communication system represented as a Fifth Generation (5G) network architecture composed of core Network Functions (NFs), where interaction between any two NFs is represented by a point-to-point reference point/interface;
[0061] Figure 5 illustrates a 5G network architecture using service-based interfaces between the NFs in the control plane, instead of the point-to-point reference
points/interfaces used in the 5G network architecture of Figure 4;
[0062] Figure 6 illustrates a downlink example of 5G System (5GS) support for periodic deterministic communication; [0063] Figure 7 is an illustration of an example framework of TSN Quality of Service (QoS) mapping in 5GS, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;
[0064] Figure 8 is an illustration of downlink output scheduling/pacing using a TSN traffic pattern from a Centralized Network Configuration (CNC) entity of the TSN system in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;
[0065] Figure 9 is an illustration of uplink output scheduling/pacing using a TSN traffic pattern from a CNC of the TSN system in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;
[0066] Figure 10 illustrates the operation of a 5GS to provide an example
implementation of first embodiments of the present disclosure;
[0067] Figure 11 illustrates 5GS downlink output scheduling;
[0068] Figure 12 is an illustration of delivery of an additional TSN traffic pattern to the Radio Access Network (RAN) for radio optimization for an uplink scenario, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;
[0069] Figure 13 illustrates the operation of a 5GS to provide an example
implementation of second embodiments of the present disclosure;
[0070] Figures 14 through 16 illustrate example embodiments of a network node, which in these particular examples is a radio access node; and
[0071] Figure 17 and 18 illustrate example embodiments of a User Equipment (UE).
Detailed Description
[0072] The embodiments set forth below represent information to enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments and illustrate the best mode of practicing the embodiments. Upon reading the following description in light of the accompanying drawing figures, those skilled in the art will understand the concepts of the disclosure and will recognize applications of these concepts not particularly addressed herein. It should be understood that these concepts and applications fall within the scope of the disclosure.
[0073] Radio Node: As used herein, a "radio node" is either a radio access node or a wireless device.
[0074] Radio Access Node: As used herein, a "radio access node" or "radio network node" is any node in a Radio Access Network (RAN) of a cellular communications network that operates to wirelessly transmit and/or receive signals. Some examples of a radio access node include, but are not limited to, a base station (e.g., a New Radio (NR) base station (gNB) in a Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Fifth Generation (5G) NR network or an enhanced or evolved Node B (eNB) in a 3GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE) network), a high-power or macro base station, a low- power base station (e.g., a micro base station, a pico base station, a home eNB, or the like), and a relay node.
[0075] Core Network Node: As used herein, a "core network node" is any type of node in a core network or any node that implements a core network function. Some examples of a core network node include, e.g., a Mobility Management Entity (MME), a Packet Data Network Gateway (P-GW), a Service Capability Exposure Function (SCEF), a Home Subscriber Server (HSS), or the like. Some other examples of a core network node include a node implementing an Access and Mobility Function (AMF), a User Plane Function (UPF), a Session Management Function (SMF), an Authentication Server Function (AUSF), a Network Slice Selection Function (NSSF), a Network Exposure Function (NEF), a Network Repository Function (NRF), a Policy Control Function (PCF), a Unified Data Management (UDM), or the like.
[0076] Wireless Device: As used herein, a "wireless device" is any type of device that has access to (i.e., is served by) a cellular communications network by wirelessly transmitting and/or receiving signals to a radio access node(s). Some examples of a wireless device include, but are not limited to, a User Equipment (UE) in a 3GPP network and a Machine Type Communication (MTC) device.
[0077] Network Node: As used herein, a "network node" is any node that is either part of the RAN or the core network of a cellular communications network/system.
[0078] Note that the description given herein focuses on a 3GPP cellular
communications system and, as such, 3GPP terminology or terminology similar to 3GPP terminology is oftentimes used. However, the concepts disclosed herein are not limited to a 3GPP system.
[0079] Note that while embodiments described herein focus on a 5G System (5GS), the present disclosure is not limited to the use of a 5GS. Any suitable cellular or mobile communications system may be used.
[0080] As discussed above, it is desirable to utilize a 5GS as a virtual Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) node (e.g., a virtual TSN bridge). This brings about new challenges that must be addressed. Certain aspects of the present disclosure and their embodiments may provide solutions to the aforementioned or other challenges. In some embodiments, a cellular communications system (e.g., a 5GS) operates as a (virtual) TSN node (e.g., a (virtual) TSN bridge), and the cellular communications system obtains (e.g., from a controller of the TSN) one or more TSN Quality of Service (QoS) parameters for the virtual TSN node and information related to a traffic pattern for the virtual TSN node. The TSN QoS parameters are mapped to QoS policy(ies) and/or rule(s) in the cellular communication system and are applied in the cellular communications system in order to satisfy the TSN QoS requirements for the virtual TSN node. In addition, at least some of the information related to the traffic pattern for the virtual TSN node is provided to an appropriate edge node(s) (e.g., the UPF for uplink direction or the UE for downlink direction) where this information is used by the edge node(s) to achieve the desired traffic pattern. In one example implementation in which the cellular communication system is a 5GS, the TSN QoS parameters and the information related to the traffic pattern for the virtual TSN node are obtained at a TSN application function (e.g., from a controller of the TSN) and provided to a PCF. The PCF then maps the TSN QoS parameters to 5GS policy(ies) and/or 5GS rule(s) and applies the 5GS policy(ies) and/or 5GS rule(s) in the 5GS, with respect to TSN traffic. In addition, the PCF provides (directly or indirectly) at least some of the information related to the traffic pattern for the virtual TSN node to the UE (for TSN traffic flow in the downlink direction) or the UPF (for TSN traffic flow in the uplink direction).
[0081] In some other embodiments, a cellular communications system (e.g., a 5GS) operates as a (virtual) TSN node (e.g., a (virtual) TSN bridge), and the cellular communications system obtains (e.g., from a controller of the TSN) information related to a traffic pattern for a preceding TSN node in the TSN (i.e., a TSN node that precedes the virtual TSN node in a direction of TSN traffic flow). At least some of the information related to the traffic pattern for the preceding TSN node is provided to one or more radio access nodes (e.g., gNB(s)) and, e.g., used by the radio access node(s) for radio optimization. In one example implementation in which the cellular communication system is a 5GS, the information related to the traffic pattern for the preceding TSN node is obtained at a TSN application function (e.g., from a controller of the TSN) and provided to a PCF. The PCF provides (directly or indirectly) at least some of the information related to the traffic pattern for the preceding TSN node to one or more radio access node(s) (e.g., gNB(s)), e.g., where this information is used for radio optimization.
[0082] The embodiments above can be used separately or in combination.
[0083] Certain embodiments may provide one or more of the following technical advantage(s). For example, the embodiments described herein provide improved performance of a cellular communications system (e.g., a 5GS) as a virtual TSN node.
[0084] In this regard, Figure 2 shows an example of a TSN system 200 including a virtual TSN node in which embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented. As illustrated, the TSN system 200 includes end stations 202 and 204 that are
connected via a number of TSN bridges 206. In this specific example, there are three TSN bridges, denoted as TSN bridges 206-1, 206-2, and 206-3. Importantly, in this example, one of the TSN bridges 206 is a virtual TSN bridge. While not being limited thereto, in this example, the TSN bridge 206-3 is a virtual TSN bridge. Further, in the example embodiments described herein, the virtual TSN bridge 206-3 is implemented by a 5GS.
[0085] In a static configuration, the end stations 202 and 204 and the TSN bridges 206 are configured during network setup. In a centralized network configuration setup, all configurations of the TSN bridges 206 for TSN streams is performed by a Centralized Network Configuration (CNC) station 208, which configures the network resource reservations and is responsible for coordinating any changes to those configured reservations with any new reservations. Reservations can be made or requested by the end stations 202 and 204. In a fully centralized setup where both the network and the user configuration are centralized, the CNC station 208 receives the requirements of the data flows from a Central User Configuration (CUC) entity 210 and then computes the route, the time schedules needed for the end-to-end transmission for each TSN flow, and configures the TSN bridges 206 with the computed time schedule.
[0086] Before describing embodiments of the present disclosure in more detail, a brief discussion of a 5GS is beneficial. In this regard, Figure 3 illustrates one example of a cellular communications system 300 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. In the embodiments described herein, the cellular communications system 300 is a 5GS. In this example, the cellular communications network 300 includes base stations 302-1 and 302-2, which in 5G NR are referred to as gNBs, controlling
corresponding macro cells 304-1 and 304-2. The base stations 302-1 and 302-2 are generally referred to herein collectively as base stations 302 and individually as base station 302. Likewise, the macro cells 304-1 and 304-2 are generally referred to herein collectively as macro cells 304 and individually as macro cell 304. The cellular communications network 300 may also include a number of low power nodes 306-1 through 306-4 controlling corresponding small cells 308-1 through 308-4. The low power nodes 306-1 through 306-4 can be small base stations (such as pico or femto base stations) or Remote Radio Heads (RRHs), or the like. Notably, while not illustrated, one or more of the small cells 308-1 through 308-4 may alternatively be provided by the base stations 302. The low power nodes 306-1 through 306-4 are generally referred to herein collectively as low power nodes 306 and individually as low power node 306. Likewise, the small cells 308-1 through 308-4 are generally referred to herein collectively as small cells 308 and individually as small cell 308. The base stations 302 (and optionally the low power nodes 306) are connected to a core network 310.
[0087] The base stations 302 and the low power nodes 306 provide service to wireless devices 312-1 through 312-5 in the corresponding cells 304 and 308. The wireless devices 312-1 through 312-5 are generally referred to herein collectively as wireless devices 312 and individually as wireless device 312. The wireless devices 312 are also sometimes referred to herein as UEs.
[0088] Figure 4 illustrates a wireless communication system represented as a 5G network architecture composed of core Network Functions (NFs), where interaction between any two NFs is represented by a point-to-point reference point/interface.
Figure 4 can be viewed as one particular implementation of the system 300 of Figure 3.
[0089] Seen from the access side the 5G network architecture shown in Figure 4 comprises a plurality of UEs 312 connected to either a RAN or an Access Network (AN) as well as an AMF 400. Typically, the R(AN) comprises base stations 202, e.g. such as eNBs or gNBs or similar. Seen from the core network side, the 5G core NFs shown in Figure 4 include a NSSF 402, an AUSF 404, a UDM 406, the AMF 400, a SMF 408, a PCF 410, an Application Function (AF) 412, and a UPF 414.
[0090] Reference point representations of the 5G network architecture are used to develop detailed call flows in the normative standardization. The N1 reference point is defined to carry signaling between the UE 312 and the AMF 400. The reference points for connecting between the AN and the AMF 400 and between the AN and the UPF 414 are defined as N2 and N3, respectively. There is a reference point, Nil, between the AMF 400 and the SMF 408. N4 is used by the SMF 408 and the UPF 414 so that the UPF 414 can be set using the control signal generated by the SMF 408, and the UPF 414 can report its state to the SMF 408. N9 is the reference point for the connection between different UPFs 414, and N14 is the reference point connecting between different AMFs 400, respectively. N15 and N7 are defined since the PCF 410 applies policy to the AMF 400 and the SMF 408, respectively. N12 is required for the AMF 400 to perform authentication of the UE 312. N8 and N10 are defined because the subscription data of the UE is required for the AMF 400 and the SMF 408.
[0091] The 5G core network aims at separating user plane and control plane. The user plane carries user traffic while the control plane carries signaling in the network.
In Figure 4, the UPF 414 is in the user plane and all other NFs, i.e., the AMF 400, SMF 408, PCF 410, AF 412, NSSF 402, AUSF 404, and UDM 406, are in the control plane. Separating the user and control planes guarantees each plane resource to be scaled independently. It also allows UPFs 414 to be deployed separately from control plane functions in a distributed fashion. In this architecture, UPFs 414 may be deployed very close to UEs 312 to shorten the Round Trip Time (RTT) between UEs 312 and data network for some applications requiring low latency.
[0092] The core 5G network architecture is composed of modularized functions. For example, the AMF 400 and SMF 408 are independent functions in the control plane. Separated AMF 400 and SMF 408 allow independent evolution and scaling. Other control plane functions like the PCF 410 and AUSF 404 can be separated as shown in Figure 4. Modularized function design enables the 5G core network to support various services flexibly.
[0093] Each NF interacts with another NF directly. It is possible to use intermediate functions to route messages from one NF to another NF. In the control plane, a set of interactions between two NFs is defined as service so that its reuse is possible. This service enables support for modularity. The user plane supports interactions such as forwarding operations between different UPFs 414.
[0094] Figure 5 illustrates a 5G network architecture using service-based interfaces between the NFs in the control plane, instead of the point-to-point reference
points/interfaces used in the 5G network architecture of Figure 4. Flowever, the NFs described above with reference to Figure 4 correspond to the NFs shown in Figure 5. The service(s) etc. that a NF provides to other authorized NFs can be exposed to the authorized NFs through the service-based interface. In Figure 5 the service based interfaces are indicated by the letter "N" followed by the name of the NF, e.g. Namf for the service based interface of the AMF 400 and Nsmf for the service based interface of the SMF 408, etc. The Network Exposure Function (NEF) 500 and the NRF 502 in Figure 5 are not shown in Figure 4 discussed above. Flowever, it should be clarified that all NFs depicted in Figure 4 can interact with the NEF 500 and the NRF 502 of Figure 5 as necessary, though not explicitly indicated in Figure 4.
[0095] Some properties of the NFs shown in Figures 4 and 5 may be described in the following manner. The AMF 400 provides UE-based authentication, authorization, mobility management, etc. A UE 312 even using multiple access technologies is basically connected to a single AMF 400 because the AMF 400 is independent of the access technologies. The SMF 408 is responsible for session management and allocates Internet Protocol (IP) addresses to UEs 312. It also selects and controls the UPF 414 for data transfer. If a UE 312 has multiple sessions, different SMFs 408 may be allocated to each session to manage them individually and possibly provide different functionalities per session. The AF 412 provides information on the packet flow to the PCF 410 responsible for policy control in order to support QoS. Based on the
information, the PCF 410 determines policies about mobility and session management to make the AMF 400 and SMF 408 operate properly. The AUSF 404supports
authentication function for UEs 312 or similar and thus stores data for authentication of UEs 312 or similar while the UDM 406 stores subscription data of the UE 312. The Data Network (DN), which is not part of the 5G core network, provides Internet access or operator services and similar.
[0096] An NF may be implemented either as a network element on a dedicated hardware, as a software instance running on a dedicated hardware, or as a virtualized function instantiated on an appropriate platform, e.g., a cloud infrastructure.
[0097] Now, turning to some example embodiments of the present disclosure. Note that this discussion focuses on 5GS; however, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Note that while the discussion below describes "first embodiments" and "second embodiments" in separate sections, these embodiments may be used separately or in combination. First Embodiments
[0098] 3GPP Technical Report (TR) 23.724 Solution #8 provides an option for 5GS appearing as a (virtual) TSN bridge (black box) for integration with TSN, as described in section 6.8 of 3GPP TR 23.724.
[0099] However, there are still some open issues regarding:
1. The mapping between QoS requirements of the TSN communication and QoS models in the serving 5GS.
2. The QoS framework enhancement to support deterministic QoS and fulfill the requirements for time-sensitive communication
[0100] Categorization of TSN related QoS information: In the first
embodiments, the related QoS information supporting TSN communication is
categorized into two parts, namely:
1. TSN QoS Characteristics: The TSN QoS characteristics include QoS
parameters for TSN traffic transmission, such as latency of the TSN bridge, bandwidth information, priority level of TSN streams, etc. This part of the information can be mapped into QoS parameters in 5G QoS flows.
2. TSN Traffic Pattern: The TSN traffic pattern includes information for TSN supporting, such as gate control parameters for scheduled traffic, etc.
This part of the information is identified as additional parameters for 5GS to fulfill the QoS requirement of TSN communications, which is not included in the 5G QoS model.
[0101] 5GS support for TSN traffic scheduling: Periodic deterministic
communication is often used in factory automation processes. Such communication has stringent requirements on timeliness and availability of the communication service (see, e.g., 3GPP Technical Specification (TS) 22.104). Many critical industrial applications have a need for frame delivery that is highly predictable in terms of the time at which frame transmission will occur. Time-aware scheduled traffic at the output of the TSN bridge is an approach as defined in Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.1 Qbv. Such traffic has a certain traffic pattern, e.g. periodicity due to the time-aware traffic scheduling. When a 5GS is integrated with a TSN network as a virtual TSN bridge, if there is no proper scheduling mechanism applied at the output of the 5GS to fulfill the TSN scheduling requirement, the traffic coming out of the 5GS may overflow the next TSN nodes, and hence lead to congestion losses.
[0102] Some solutions have been proposed on how to achieve determinism in 5GS. 3GPP TR 23.724 Solution #16 describes an example of deterministic data flow defined by a window at both the ingress and egress side of 5GS. A de-jittering function deployed at the edges of the 5GS (e.g., UPF in uplink, and UE in downlink) can be used to achieve deterministic communications on an end-to-end basis as described in, e.g., RAN2-1814992. However, the output scheduling of the 5GS has not been addressed.
[0103] Observation 1: Both 5GS determinism and output scheduling at the edge of 5GS are needed in order to provide periodic deterministic communication services.
While the determinism issue has been studied in 3GPP TR 23.734, the output scheduling is rarely addressed.
[0104] Figure 6 illustrates a downlink example of 5GS support for periodic
deterministic communication. In other words, Figure 6 shows an example of 5GS output scheduling for downlink traffic. The 5GS is modelled as a virtual TSN bridge as described in 3GPP TR 23.724 Solution#8. The incoming TSN traffic from the preceding TSN node (right side) enters the 5GS at the UPF 414 or the UPF-side translator with an interval of Ti. A de-jitter function (called a Hold and Forward Buffer in Solution#16) can be applied at the output of the 5GS, which, in this downlink case, is at the UE 312 or the UE side translator. The de-jitter function holds up the TSN traffic up to the maximum 5GS delay (worst-case delay), and then forwards it to the next TSN node.
The 5GS deterministic delay (denoted as "X" in Figure 6) therefore can be achieved as the maximum 5GS delay. The de-jitter function can only provide 5GS with deterministic latency; however, the periodicity or schedule of the TSN traffic can be lost due to the delay variations inside the 5GS. In order to fulfill the TSN latency and traffic profile requirements, the output pacing at egress of 5GS is needed. The UE 312 or the UE side translator can learn the TSN scheduling information from the CNC, and then re-generate the scheduled TSN traffic pattern at the output of the 5G virtual bridge. For an uplink case, the de-jitter function and output scheduling/pacing function can be deployed at the UPF 414 or the translator at the UPF side.
[0105] 5G virtual bridge registration: Based on the system architecture described in Figure 6.8-1 and Figure 6.8-2 of 3GPP TR 23.724 Solution #8, the 5GS appears to the external network as a TSN bridge. 5GS-specific procedures in the Core Network (CN) and RAN, wireless communication links, etc. remain hidden from the TSN network. The 5GS bridge provides TSN ingress and egress ports via the so-called TSN Translator (device) on the UE side and via the "TSN Translator" (Control Plane (CP) and User Plane (UP)) on the CN side towards the DN.
[0106] The TSN Translator in CP (acting as a TSN AF) can collect 5GS virtual bridge related information (such as topology information, bridge capabilities) and register to the CNC as a TSN bridge.
[0107] 5G virtual bridge configuration: The CNC of the TSN network can collect talkers' and listeners' stream requirements, from a CUC on behalf of end stations, and configure TSN-capable bridges to meet these requirements. Here, a "talker" is the sender or source, and a "listener" is the receiver or destination. For a 5G virtual bridge, the CNC negotiates the QoS requirement with the PCF via a TSN AF. The TSN AF and PCF divide the TSN requirements into two parts: TSN QoS characteristics and traffic pattern information.
[0108] Figure 7 is an illustration of an example framework of TSN QoS mapping in 5GS. In other words, Figure 7 shows 5G virtual bridge configuration for both TSN QoS characteristics and traffic pattern. The TSN QoS characteristics can be mapped into the QoS parameters of the 5G QoS flows and controlled by the SMF 408 to configure the UE 1412, the base station 302 (i.e., the gNB), and the UPF 414 for QoS enforcement (see 3GPP TS 23.501 clause 5.7).
[0109] The traffic pattern is applied for time-aware traffic scheduling, which requires very low, predictable latency. Time-aware traffic scheduling operates using a set of time-aware gates that precede a bridge's transmission selection function. When 5GS appears as a TSN bridge, the time-aware gates are deployed in TSN ingress and egress ports, e.g. the TSN Translators in the UE and UPF. The TSN traffic pattern should be made available at the UE side translator for downlink as Figure 8 shows, and at the UPF side translator for uplink direction as Figure 9 shows. Then the translator can use the traffic pattern information to perform output scheduling/pacing towards the next TSN node.
[0110] The CNC has pre-scheduled the traffic pattern for every TSN bridge egress. Every TSN bridge should receive the traffic pattern from the CNC and send out the traffic according to the pre-scheduled pattern. Figure 8 is an illustration of downlink output scheduling/pacing using a TSN traffic pattern from the CNC. In other words, Figure 8 illustrates 5GS downlink output scheduling. There are three TSN nodes. The 5GS is modelled as TSN bridge (B), it receives TSN traffic from a preceding TSN node (A), then it sends out TSN traffic to TSN node (C) with a specific "traffic pattern B" which is received from the CNC. TSN nodes (A) and (C) can be either a bridge or an end-station. Figure 9 shows an uplink case. In other words, Figure 9 is an illustration of uplink output scheduling/packing using a TSN traffic pattern from the CNC.
[0111] Figure 10 illustrates the operation of the 5GS to provide an example implementation of the first embodiments. In particular, Figure 10 illustrates a procedure for TSN related QoS configuration for a 5G virtual bridge. The steps of the procedure of Figure 10 are as follows.
[0112] Step 1: Based on the stream requirements from end stations (e.g., end stations 202 and 204), the CNC (e.g., a CNC station 208) computes a transmission schedule and network paths. The CNC distributes the TSN QoS requirements and traffic pattern (specific for current node) to the 5G virtual bridge (e.g., the virtual TSN bridge 206-3) via a TSN AF (e.g., an AF 412). Alternatively, the 5GS virtual bridge (e.g., the TSN AF) may pre-request or query the CNC for the TSN QoS and traffic information.
[0113] Step 2: The TSN AF forwards the TSN QoS requirements and traffic pattern to the PCF (e.g., PCF 410), directly or via the NEF (e.g., NEF 500).
[0114] Step 3: The PCF finds suitable 5G QoS policies and rules that can fulfill the TSN QoS characteristics (i.e., maps the TSN QoS characteristics to 5G QoS profiles).
[0115] Step 4: In step 4a, the PCF triggers the PDU session modification procedure to establish a new 5G QoS flow according to the selected QoS policies and rules. The SMF (e.g., SMF 408) configures the UE (e.g., UE 312), gNB (e.g., base station 302), and UPF (e.g., UPF 414) for QoS enforcement according to existing 3GPP procedure (see 3GPP TS 23.501 V15.8.0 clause 5.7). Every QoS flow has a QoS Flow Identifier (QFI). Therefore, for every mapped TSN flow, the QFI can be used to identify the link between the TSN traffic profile and the QoS flow. An example mapping can be: QFI 5G QoS profile --> TSN QoS characteristics --> TSN traffic profile.
[0116] In step 4b, in a downlink direction, the PCF distributes the TSN traffic pattern to the UE via the SMF, e.g. Non-Access Stratum (NAS) signaling at PDU session setup/modification procedure. A new information element may be added to provide TSN traffic pattern information which is associated to a QFI, then the UE can forward the TSN traffic pattern to the UE side translator. [0117] In an uplink direction, the PCF distributes the TSN traffic pattern to the UPF via the SMF, e.g. 3GPP signaling at Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session establishment / modification procedure, N4 session establishment / modification procedure. A new information element may be added to provide TSN traffic pattern information which is associated to a Q FI.
[0118] The UPF side translator can get the traffic pattern for a specific TSN flow from the UPF and perform output scheduling/pacing at the egress port.
[0119] Step 5: The PCF responds to the TSN AF (directly or via the NEF).
[0120] Step 6: The TSN AF responds to the CNC.
[0121] The solution described above provides an approach of mapping between TSN QoS requirement and 5G QoS model, with the following achievements:
• Minimized the impact to existing 5G QoS model.
• Minimized the impact to the traffic without scheduling requirement.
• More flexible configuration for time-aware traffic scheduling.
• Applicable for both TSN Translator inside and outside UPF/UE.
Second Embodiments
[0122] RAN awareness of incoming TSN traffic pattern: In 3GPP, the RAN group has an ongoing discussion on making use of the knowledge of the traffic pattern for radio optimization, e.g. to provide the UE with proper Semi-Persistent Scheduling (SPS) or Configured Grants configurations. Therefore, information of the traffic pattern (also referred to herein as "information related to the traffic pattern") such as periodicity and message size would be preferable. Also, information on when the periodic data arrives, i.e., a time reference or offset would be helpful. If such information is not available at the RAN, over-scheduling would need to be done in order to meet the TSN traffic requirements (e.g., latency). During such over-scheduling, the RAN could learn the traffic pattern and reduce its over-scheduling; however, radio resources, i.e. capacity, would be wasted during such a learning phase. Also, admission control for further users would need to be done more conservatively, if the actual resource need for current traffic is unclear. For those reasons, it would be beneficial for the RAN, if knowledge of the TSN traffic pattern, which is available at the 5G core interacting with TSN CNC, could be provided to the RAN beforehand. [0123] It is particularly important for uplink traffic, where frequent pre-scheduling, e.g. configured grants, would need to be proactively provided to the UE in order to meet uplink latency requirements. I.e., in particular for uplink scheduling, the RAN would benefit from the traffic knowledge.
[0124] Observation: For better serving TSN periodic traffic, there is a need from the RAN to use the incoming TSN traffic pattern for radio optimization.
[0125] Proposal: 5G core network should provide / relay TSN traffic pattern of the incoming TSN traffic to the gNB so that the gNB can use the information to do better radio optimization.
[0126] Solution: The CNC has pre-scheduled the traffic pattern for every TSN bridge egress. Every TSN bridge should receive the traffic pattern from the CNC and send out the traffic according to the pre-scheduled pattern. Figure 11 illustrates 5GS downlink output scheduling. Figure 11 is an illustration of delivery of an additional TSN traffic pattern to the RAN for radio optimization (downlink). There are three TSN nodes. The 5GS is modelled as TSN bridge (B). The TSN bridge (B) receives "TSN traffic pattern B" for doing output scheduling at the UE for downlink traffic towards TSN node (C). The TSN node (A) is the preceding node of the 5GS. The output traffic from TSN node (A) follows "traffic pattern A." The CNC has both "traffic pattern A and B" information. Normally, the CNC only sends the relevant traffic pattern information to the bridge who needs to use it for output scheduling, e.g. "traffic pattern A" is only sent to TSN node (A). Therefore, for the output scheduling purpose, the 5GS only needs to distribute the "TSN traffic pattern B" from the AF to the UE translator in the downlink direction. Flowever, in order to optimize radio resource for TSN traffic, the gNB needs to be aware of the incoming TSN traffic pattern. Therefore 5GS requests "TSN traffic pattern A" from the CNC, and then forward it to the gNB.
[0127] Figure 12 is an illustration of delivery of an additional TSN traffic pattern to the RAN for radio optimization (uplink). In other words, Figure 12 shows an uplink case where the TSN node (C) is the preceding node to 5GS. Therefore, besides the "TSN traffic pattern B" that is required for 5GS output scheduling, "traffic pattern C" is additionally delivered to the gNB for radio optimization purpose.
[0128] Figure 13 illustrates the operation of the 5GS to provide an example
implementation of the second embodiments. In particular, Figure 13 illustrates a procedure in which the 5GS distributes an additional TSN traffic pattern to the gNB for radio optimization purpose. The steps of the procedure of Figure 13 are as follows.
[0129] Note that the delivery of the TSN traffic pattern used by the current node for 5GS output scheduling has been described above with respect to the first embodiments and, e.g., Figure 10. The following procedure describes the differences that relate to delivery of an additional TSN traffic pattern used by the preceding node.
[0130] Step 1: The CNC (e.g., CNC station 208) distributes the TSN QoS
requirements and traffic pattern (specific for the current node) to the 5G virtual bridge (e.g., the virtual TSN bridge 206-3) via the TSN AF (e.g., AF 412). For radio
optimization purpose, the AF can request the additional traffic pattern for the preceding TSN node from the CNC (e.g., triggered by CNC configuration event), i.e. when the CNC sends TSN QoS requirements and "traffic pattern B" to the AF as part of the bridge configuration request, the AF then asks the CNC for additional TSN traffic pattern information of the preceding TSN node.
[0131] Note: During the 5G virtual bridge registration stage, the 5GS may indicate the needs of the traffic pattern for both the current bridge and the preceding node. Then CNC may be configured to send both traffic patterns (e.g., both "TSN traffic pattern B" and "traffic pattern A" in Figure 11) to the 5G bridge. Flowever, the CNC behavior is out of scope of the present disclosure.
[0132] Step 2: The TSN AF forwards the additional TSN traffic pattern used by the preceding TSN node to the PCF (e.g., PCF 410), directly or via the NEF (e.g., NEF 500).
[0133] Step 3: The PCF finds suitable 5G QoS policies and rules that can fulfill the TSN QoS characteristics (i.e., maps the TSN QoS characteristics to 5G QoS profiles).
[0134] Step 4a: The SMF triggers the PDU session modification procedure to establish a new 5G QoS flow according to the selected QoS policies and rules. The SMF (e.g., SMF 408) configures the UE (e.g., UE 412), gNB (e.g., base station 302), and UPF (e.g., UPF 414) for QoS enforcement according to the existing 3GPP procedure (see TS 23.501 V15.8.0 clause 5.7). Every QoS flow has a QFI. Therefore, for every mapped TSN flow, the QFI can be used to identify the link between TSN traffic profile and QoS flow. An example mapping can be: QFI 5G QoS profile TSN QoS
characteristics TSN traffic pattern used by current node --> TSN traffic pattern used by preceding node. [0135] Step 4b: In both uplink and downlink direction, the PCF distributes the additional TSN traffic pattern used by the preceding TSN node to the RAN (e.g., to the gNB) via the SMF and AMF (e.g., AMF 400). The additional TSN traffic pattern used by the preceding TSN node and associated QFI reference are sent from the SMF to the RAN via N2 information using the existing PDU session establishment/modification procedure. A new information element may be introduced in the N2 information to carry the additional TSN traffic pattern and QFI reference. The PDU session resources setup/modification procedure can be used to carry the additional TSN information from the AMF to the gNB, e.g. Next Generation Application Protocol (NGAP) over N2 (see 3GPP TS 38.413 V15.5.0). The QFI reference is used by the gNB to link the additional TSN traffic pattern to a specific TSN flow.
[0136] Step 5: The PCF responds to the TSN AF (directly or via the NEF).
[0137] Step 6: The TSN AF responds to the CNC.
Additional Aspects for Both First and Second Embodiments
[0138] Figure 14 is a schematic block diagram of a radio access node 1400 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The radio access node 1400 may be, for example, a base station 302 or 306. As illustrated, the radio access node 1400 includes a control system 1402 that includes one or more processors 1404 (e.g., Central Processing Units (CPUs), Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), Field
Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), and/or the like), memory 1406, and a network interface 1408. The one or more processors 1404 are also referred to herein as processing circuitry. In addition, the radio access node 1400 includes one or more radio units 1410 that each includes one or more transmitters 1412 and one or more receivers 1414 coupled to one or more antennas 1416. The radio units 1410 may be referred to or be part of radio interface circuitry. In some embodiments, the radio unit(s) 1410 is external to the control system 1402 and connected to the control system 1402 via, e.g., a wired connection (e.g., an optical cable). Flowever, in some other embodiments, the radio unit(s) 1410 and potentially the antenna(s) 1416 are integrated together with the control system 1402. The one or more processors 1404 operate to provide one or more functions of a radio access node 1400 as described herein. In some embodiments, the function(s) are implemented in software that is stored, e.g., in the memory 1406 and executed by the one or more processors 1404. [0139] Figure 15 is a schematic block diagram that illustrates a virtualized embodiment of the radio access node 1400 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. This discussion is equally applicable to other types of network nodes. Further, other types of network nodes may have similar virtualized
architectures.
[0140] As used herein, a "virtualized" radio access node is an implementation of the radio access node 1400 in which at least a portion of the functionality of the radio access node 1400 is implemented as a virtual component(s) (e.g., via a virtual machine(s) executing on a physical processing node(s) in a network(s)). As illustrated, in this example, the radio access node 1400 includes the control system 1402 that includes the one or more processors 1404 (e.g., CPUs, ASICs, FPGAs, and/or the like), the memory 1406, and the network interface 1408 and the one or more radio units 1410 that each includes the one or more transmitters 1412 and the one or more receivers 1414 coupled to the one or more antennas 1416, as described above. The control system 1402 is connected to the radio unit(s) 1410 via, for example, an optical cable or the like. The control system 1402 is connected to one or more processing nodes 1500 coupled to or included as part of a network(s) 1502 via the network interface 1408. Each processing node 1500 includes one or more processors 1504 (e.g., CPUs, ASICs, FPGAs, and/or the like), memory 1506, and a network interface 1508.
[0141] In this example, functions 1510 of the radio access node 1400 described herein are implemented at the one or more processing nodes 1500 or distributed across the control system 1402 and the one or more processing nodes 1500 in any desired manner. In some particular embodiments, some or all of the functions 1510 of the radio access node 1400 described herein are implemented as virtual components executed by one or more virtual machines implemented in a virtual environ ment(s) hosted by the processing node(s) 1500. As will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, additional signaling or communication between the processing node(s) 1500 and the control system 1402 is used in order to carry out at least some of the desired functions 1510. Notably, in some embodiments, the control system 1402 may not be included, in which case the radio unit(s) 1410 communicate directly with the processing node(s) 1500 via an appropriate network interface(s). [0142] In some embodiments, a computer program including instructions which, when executed by at least one processor, causes the at least one processor to carry out the functionality of radio access node 1400 or a node (e.g., a processing node 1500) implementing one or more of the functions 1510 of the radio access node 1400 in a virtual environment according to any of the embodiments described herein is provided. In some embodiments, a carrier comprising the aforementioned computer program product is provided. The carrier is one of an electronic signal, an optical signal, a radio signal, or a computer readable storage medium (e.g., a non-transitory computer readable medium such as memory).
[0143] Figure 16 is a schematic block diagram of the radio access node 1400 according to some other embodiments of the present disclosure. The radio access node 1400 includes one or more modules 1600, each of which is implemented in software. The module(s) 1600 provide the functionality of the radio access node 1400 described herein. This discussion is equally applicable to the processing node 1500 of Figure 15 where the modules 1600 may be implemented at one of the processing nodes 1500 or distributed across multiple processing nodes 1500 and/or distributed across the processing node(s) 1500 and the control system 1402.
[0144] Figure 17 is a schematic block diagram of a UE 1700 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. As illustrated, the UE 1700 includes one or more processors 1702 (e.g., CPUs, ASICs, FPGAs, and/or the like), memory 1704, and one or more transceivers 1706 each including one or more transmitters 1708 and one or more receivers 1710 coupled to one or more antennas 1712. The transceiver(s) 1706 includes radio-front end circuitry connected to the antenna(s) 1712 that is configured to condition signals communicated between the antenna(s) 1712 and the processor(s) 1702, as will be appreciated by on of ordinary skill in the art. The processors 1702 are also referred to herein as processing circuitry. The transceivers 1706 are also referred to herein as radio circuitry. In some embodiments, the functionality of the UE 1700 described above may be fully or partially implemented in software that is, e.g., stored in the memory 1704 and executed by the processor(s) 1702. Note that the UE 1700 may include additional components not illustrated in Figure 17 such as, e.g., one or more user interface components (e.g., an input/output interface including a display, buttons, a touch screen, a microphone, a speaker(s), and/or the like and/or any other
components for allowing input of information into the UE 1700 and/or allowing output of information from the UE 1700), a power supply (e.g., a battery and associated power circuitry), etc.
[0145] In some embodiments, a computer program including instructions which, when executed by at least one processor, causes the at least one processor to carry out the functionality of the UE 1700 according to any of the embodiments described herein is provided. In some embodiments, a carrier comprising the aforementioned computer program product is provided. The carrier is one of an electronic signal, an optical signal, a radio signal, or a computer readable storage medium (e.g., a non-transitory computer readable medium such as memory).
[0146] Figure 18 is a schematic block diagram of the UE 1700 according to some other embodiments of the present disclosure. The UE 1700 includes one or more modules 1800, each of which is implemented in software. The module(s) 1800 provide the functionality of the UE 1700 described herein.
[0147] Any appropriate steps, methods, features, functions, or benefits disclosed herein may be performed through one or more functional units or modules of one or more virtual apparatuses. Each virtual apparatus may comprise a number of these functional units. These functional units may be implemented via processing circuitry, which may include one or more microprocessor or microcontrollers, as well as other digital hardware, which may include Digital Signal Processor (DSPs), special-purpose digital logic, and the like. The processing circuitry may be configured to execute program code stored in memory, which may include one or several types of memory such as Read Only Memory (ROM), Random Access Memory (RAM), cache memory, flash memory devices, optical storage devices, etc. Program code stored in memory includes program instructions for executing one or more telecommunications and/or data communications protocols as well as instructions for carrying out one or more of the techniques described herein. In some implementations, the processing circuitry may be used to cause the respective functional unit to perform corresponding functions according one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0148] While processes in the figures may show a particular order of operations performed by certain embodiments of the present disclosure, it should be understood that such order is exemplary (e.g., alternative embodiments may perform the
operations in a different order, combine certain operations, overlap certain operations, etc.). [0149] Some example embodiments of the present disclosure are as follows.
[0150] Embodiment 1 : A method of operation of a Time-Sensitive Networking, TSN, application function associated with a cellular communications system that operates as a virtual TSN node in a TSN, comprising: receiving, from a controller associated with the TSN, one or more TSN Quality of Service, QoS, parameters for the virtual TSN node and information related to a traffic pattern for the virtual TSN node; and providing, to a core network function in a core network of a Fifth Generation System, 5GS, the one or more TSN QoS parameters for the virtual TSN node and the information related to the traffic pattern for the virtual TSN node.
[0151] Embodiment 2: The method of embodiment 1 wherein the one or more TSN QoS parameters for the virtual TSN node comprise one or more QoS parameters for TSN traffic transmission.
[0152] Embodiment 3: The method of embodiment 2 wherein the one or more QoS parameters for TSN traffic transmission comprise latency of the virtual TSN node, bandwidth information, and/or priority level of TSN streams.
[0153] Embodiment 4: The method of any one of embodiments 1 to 3 wherein the information related to the traffic pattern for the virtual TSN node comprises gate control parameters for scheduled traffic.
[0154] Embodiment 5: The method of any one of embodiments 1 to 4 wherein the information related to the traffic pattern for the virtual TSN node comprises parameters that are not included in the cellular communications system model that are needed for the cellular communications system to fulfill TSN QoS requirements of TSN
communications.
[0155] Embodiment 6: The method of any one of embodiments 1 to 5 wherein the core network function is a Policy Control Function, PCF.
[0156] Embodiment 7: The method of any one of embodiments 1 to 5 wherein the cellular communications system is a 5GS.
[0157] Embodiment 8: The method of embodiment 7 wherein the core network function is a Policy Control Function, PCF.
[0158] Embodiment 9: A method of operation of a core network function in a cellular communications system that operates as a virtual Time-Sensitive Networking, TSN, node in a TSN, comprising: receiving one or more TSN Quality of Service, QoS, parameters for the virtual TSN node and information related to a traffic pattern for the virtual TSN node; mapping the one or more TSN QoS parameters to one or more QoS policies in the cellular communications system and/or rules in the cellular
communications system; applying the one or more QoS policies and/or the one or more rules in the cellular communications system; and providing (directly or indirectly) at least some of the information related to the traffic pattern for the virtual TSN node to another node in the cellular communications system.
[0159] Embodiment 10: The method of embodiment 9 wherein the one or more TSN QoS parameters for the virtual TSN node comprise one or more QoS parameters for TSN traffic transmission.
[0160] Embodiment 11: The method of embodiment 10 wherein the one or more QoS parameters for TSN traffic transmission comprise latency of the virtual TSN node, bandwidth information, and/or priority level of TSN streams.
[0161] Embodiment 12: The method of any one of embodiments 9 to 11 wherein the information related to the traffic pattern for the virtual TSN node comprises gate control parameters for scheduled traffic.
[0162] Embodiment 13: The method of any one of embodiments 9 to 12 wherein the information related to the traffic pattern for the virtual TSN node comprise parameters that are not included in the cellular communications system model that are needed for the cellular communications system to fulfill TSN QoS requirements of TSN communications.
[0163] Embodiment 14: The method of any one of embodiments 9 to 13 wherein applying the one or more QoS policies and/or the one or more rules in the cellular communications system comprises triggering a Protocol Data Unit, PDU, session modification procedure to establish a new QoS flow for TSN traffic according to one or more QoS policies and/or the one or more rules.
[0164] Embodiment 15: The method of any one of embodiments 9 to 14 wherein the cellular communications system is a Fifth Generation System, 5GS, and, for TSN traffic in an uplink direction, providing at least some of the information related to the traffic pattern for the virtual TSN node to another node in the cellular communications system comprises providing (directly or indirectly) at least some of the information related to the traffic pattern for the virtual TSN node to a User Plane Function, UPF, in a core network of the 5GS that operates as part of the virtual TSN node. [0165] Embodiment 16: The method of any one of embodiments 9 to 14 wherein the cellular communication system is a Fifth Generation System, 5GS, and, for TSN traffic in a downlink direction, providing at least some of the information related to the traffic pattern for the virtual TSN node to another node in the cellular communications system comprises providing (directly or indirectly) at least some of the information related to the traffic pattern for the virtual TSN node to a User Equipment, UE, that operates as part of the virtual TSN node.
[0166] Embodiment 17: The method of any one of embodiments 9 to 16 wherein the cellular communications system is a Fifth Generation System, 5GS.
[0167] Embodiment 18: The method of embodiment 17 wherein the core network function is a Policy Control Function, PCF.
[0168] Embodiment 19: A method of operation of a node in a cellular
communications system that operates as a virtual Time-Sensitive Networking, TSN, node in a TSN, comprising: receiving information related to a traffic pattern for the virtual TSN node; and utilizing the information at the node to output TSN traffic in accordance with the traffic pattern for the virtual TSN node.
[0169] Embodiment 20: The method of embodiment 19 wherein the cellular communication system is a Fifth Generation System, 5GS, and, for TSN traffic in a downlink direction, the node is a User Equipment, UE, that operates as part of the virtual TSN node.
[0170] Embodiment 21: The method of embodiment 19 wherein the cellular communication system is a Fifth Generation System, 5GS, and, for TSN traffic in an uplink direction, the node is a User Plane Function, UPF, in a core network of the 5GS that operates as part of the virtual TSN node.
[0171] Embodiment 22: A method of operation of a Time-Sensitive Networking, TSN, application function associated with a cellular communications system that operates as a virtual TSN node in a TSN, comprising: receiving, from a controller associated with the TSN, information related to a traffic pattern for a preceding TSN node in the TSN, the preceding TSN node is a TSN node in the TSN that precedes the virtual TSN node in a direction of TSN traffic flow; and providing, to a core network function in a core network of the 5GS, the information related to the traffic pattern for the preceding TSN node. [0172] Embodiment 23: The method of embodiment 22 wherein the information related to the traffic pattern for the preceding TSN node comprises periodicity and/or message size.
[0173] Embodiment 24: The method of embodiment 22 or 23 wherein the information related to the traffic pattern for the preceding TSN node comprises information on when periodic TSN data from the preceding TSN node is to arrive.
[0174] Embodiment 25: The method of any one of embodiments 22 to 24 wherein the core network function is a Policy Control Function, PCF.
[0175] Embodiment 26: The method of any one of embodiments 22 to 25 wherein the cellular communications system is a Fifth Generation System, 5GS.
[0176] Embodiment 27: The method of embodiment 26 wherein the core network function is a Policy Control Function, PCF.
[0177] Embodiment 28: The method of any one of embodiments 22 to 24 further comprising the method of any one of embodiments 1 to 8.
[0178] Embodiment 29: A method of operation of a core network function in a cellular communications system that operates as a virtual Time-Sensitive Networking, TSN, node in a TSN, comprising: receiving information related to a traffic pattern for a preceding TSN node in the TSN, the preceding TSN node is a TSN node in the TSN that precedes the virtual TSN node in a direction of TSN traffic flow; providing (directly or indirectly) at least some of the information related to the traffic pattern for the preceding TSN node one or more radio access nodes in the cellular communications system.
[0179] Embodiment 30: The method of embodiment 29 wherein the information related to the traffic pattern for the preceding TSN node comprises periodicity and/or message size.
[0180] Embodiment 31: The method of embodiment 29 or 30 wherein the information related to the traffic pattern for the preceding TSN node comprises information on when periodic TSN data from the preceding TSN node is to arrive.
[0181] Embodiment 32: The method of any one of embodiments 29 to 31 wherein the cellular communications system is a Fifth Generation System, 5GS.
[0182] Embodiment 33: The method of embodiment 32 wherein the core network function is a Policy Control Function, PCF. [0183] Embodiment 34: The method of any one of embodiments 29 to 31 wherein the method further comprises the method of any one of embodiments 9 to 18.
[0184] Embodiment 35: A node for a cellular communications system that operates as a virtual Time-Sensitive Networking, TSN, node in a TSN, the node adapted to perform the method of any one of embodiments 1 to 34.
[0185] Embodiment 36: A node for a cellular communications system that operates as a virtual Time-Sensitive Networking, TSN, node in a TSN, the node comprising:
processing circuitry operable to cause the node to perform the method of any one of embodiments 1 to 34.
[0186] At least some of the following abbreviations may be used in this disclosure. If there is an inconsistency between abbreviations, preference should be given to how it is used above. If listed multiple times below, the first listing should be preferred over any subsequent listing(s).
MS Microsecond
3GPP Third Generation Partnership Project
5G Fifth Generation
5GS Fifth Generation System
AF Application Function
AMF Access and Mobility Function
AN Access Network
ASIC Application Specific Integrated Circuit
AUSF Authentication Server Function
CN Core Network
CNC Centralized Network Configuration
CP Control Plane
CPU Central Processing Unit
cue Central User Configuration
DN Data Network
DSP Digital Signal Processor
eNB Enhanced or Evolved Node B
FPGA Field Programmable Gate Array
gNB New Radio Base Station
HSS Flome Subscriber Server • IEEE Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
• IP Internet Protocol
• LTE Long Term Evolution
• MME Mobility Management Entity
• ms Millisecond
• MTC Machine Type Communication
• NAS Non-Access Stratum
• NEF Network Exposure Function
• NF Network Function
• NGAP Next Generation Application Protocol
• NR New Radio
• NRF Network Repository Function
• NSSF Network Slice Selection Function
• PCF Policy Control Function
• PDU Protocol Data Unit
• P-GW Packet Data Network Gateway
• QFI Quality of Service Flow Identifier
• QoS Quality of Service
• RAM Random Access Memory
• RAN Radio Access Network
• ROM Read Only Memory
• RRH Remote Radio Head
• RTT Round Trip Time
• SCEF Service Capability Exposure Function
• SMF Session Management Function
• SPS Semi-Persistent Scheduling
• TR Technical Report
• TS Technical Specification
• TSN Time-Sensitive Networking
• UDM Unified Data Management
• UE User Equipment
• UP User Plane
• UPF User Plane Function [0187] Those skilled in the art will recognize improvements and modifications to the embodiments of the present disclosure. All such improvements and modifications are considered within the scope of the concepts disclosed herein.
References
[1] H. Kagermann, W. Wahlster, and J. Helbig, "Recommendations for
implementing the strategic ini-tiative INDUSTRIE 4.0", Final report of the Industrie 4.0 working group, acatech - National Academy of Science and Engineering, Munich, April 2013
[2] 3GPP TR. 22.804, Study on Communication for Automation in Vertical domains (CAV)

Claims

Claims What is claimed is:
1. A method performed for operating a cellular communications system (300) as a virtual Time-Sensitive Networking, TSN, node (206-3) in a TSN system (200), comprising:
• at a TSN application function (412; TSN AF) associated with the cellular
communications system (300):
o receiving (Fig. 10, step 1), from a controller (208) associated with the TSN system (200), one or more TSN Quality of Service, QoS, parameters for the virtual TSN node (206-3); and
o providing (Fig. 10, step 2), to a core network function (410; PCF) in a core network (310) of the cellular communications system (300), the one or more TSN QoS parameters for the virtual TSN node (206-3); and
• at the core network function (410; PCF):
o receiving (Fig. 10, step 2) the one or more TSN QoS parameters for the virtual TSN node (206-3);
o mapping (Fig. 10, step 3) the one or more TSN QoS parameters to one or more QoS policies in the cellular communications system (300), one or more rules in the cellular communications system (300), or both one or more QoS policies in the cellular communications system (300) and one or more rules in the cellular communications system (300); and o applying (Fig. 10, step 4a) the one or more QoS policies, the one or more rules, or both the one or more QoS policies and the one or more rules, in the cellular communications system (300).
2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
• at the TSN application function (412; TSN AF):
o receiving (Fig. 10, step 1), from the controller (208) associated with the TSN system (200), information related to a traffic pattern for the virtual TSN node (206-3); and o providing (Fig. 10, step 2), to the core network function (410; PCF) in the core network (310) of the cellular communications system (300), the information related to the traffic pattern for the virtual TSN node (206-3);
• at the core network function (410; PCF):
o receiving (Fig. 10, step 2) the one or more TSN QoS parameters for the virtual TSN node (206-3) and the information related to the traffic pattern for the virtual TSN node (206-3); and
o providing (Fig. 10, step 4b), directly or indirectly, at least some of the information related to the traffic pattern for the virtual TSN node (206-3) to another node in the cellular communications system (300); and
• at the another node (312; 414) in the cellular communications system (300): o receiving (Fig. 10, step 4b), from the core network function (410; PCF), the at least some of the information related to the traffic pattern for the virtual TSN node (206-3); and
o forwarding (Fig. 10, step 4b) the at least some of the information to an associated traffic translator such that the associated traffic translator outputs TSN traffic in accordance with the traffic pattern for the virtual TSN node (206-3).
3. A method of operation of a Time-Sensitive Networking, TSN, application function (412; TSN AF) associated with a cellular communications system (300) that operates as a virtual TSN node (206-3) in a TSN system (200), comprising:
receiving (Fig. 10, step 1), from a controller (208) associated with the TSN system (200), one or more TSN Quality of Service, QoS, parameters for the virtual TSN node (206-3); and
providing (Fig. 10, step 2), to a core network function (410; PCF) in a core network (310) of the cellular communications system (300), the one or more TSN QoS parameters for the virtual TSN node (206-3).
4. The method of claim 3 wherein the one or more TSN QoS parameters for the virtual TSN node (206-3) comprise one or more QoS parameters for TSN traffic transmission.
5. The method of claim 4 wherein the one or more QoS parameters for TSN traffic transmission comprise: (a) a latency of the virtual TSN node (206-3), (b) bandwidth information, (c) a priority level of one or more TSN streams to be communicated via the virtual TSN node (206-3), or any combination of two or more of (a)-(c).
6. The method of any one of claims 3 to 5 further comprising:
receiving (Fig. 10, step 1), from the controller (208) associated with the TSN system (200), information related to a traffic pattern for the virtual TSN node (206-3); and
providing (Fig. 10, step 2), to the core network function (410; PCF) in the core network (310) of the cellular communications system (300), the information related to the traffic pattern for the virtual TSN node (206-3).
7. The method of claim 6 wherein the information related to the traffic pattern for the virtual TSN node (206-3) comprises gate control parameters for scheduled traffic.
8. The method of claim 6 or 7 wherein the information related to the traffic pattern for the virtual TSN node (206-3) comprises parameters that are not included in a model of the cellular communications system (300) that are needed for the cellular
communications system (300) to fulfill TSN QoS requirements of TSN communications.
9. The method of any one of claims 3 to 8 wherein the core network function (410; PCF) is a Policy Control Function, PCF, (410).
10. The method of any one of claims 3 to 8 wherein the cellular communications system (300) is a Fifth Generation System, 5GS.
11. The method of claim 10 wherein the core network function (410; PCF) is a Policy Control Function, PCF, (410).
12. A Time-Sensitive Networking, TSN, application function (412; TSN AF) associated with a cellular communications system (300) that operates as a virtual TSN node (206- 3) in a TSN system (200), the TSN application function (412; TSN AF) adapted to: receive (Fig. 10, step 1), from a controller (208) associated with the TSN system (200), one or more TSN Quality of Service, QoS, parameters for the virtual TSN node (206-3); and
provide (Fig. 10, step 2), to a core network function (410; PCF) in a core network (310) of the cellular communications system (300), the one or more TSN QoS
parameters for the virtual TSN node (206-3).
13. The TSN application function (412; TSN AF) of claim 12 wherein the TSN application function (412; TSN AF) is further adapted to perform the method of any of claims 4 to 11.
14. The TSN application function (412; TSN AF) of claim 12 or 13 wherein the TSN application function (412; TSN AF) is implemented on a network node, the network node comprising:
processing circuitry configured to, in order to perform operations of the TSN application function (412; TSN AF), cause the network node to:
receive (Fig. 10, step 1), from the controller (208) associated with the TSN system (200), the one or more TSN QoS parameters for the virtual TSN node (206-3); and
provide (Fig. 10, step 2), to the core network function (410; PCF), the one or more TSN QoS parameters for the virtual TSN node (206-3).
15. A method of operation of a core network function (410; PCF) in a cellular communications system (300) that operates as a virtual Time-Sensitive Networking,
TSN, node (206-3) in a TSN system (200), comprising:
receiving (Fig. 10, step 2), from a TSN application function (412; TSN AF), one or more TSN Quality of Service, QoS, parameters for the virtual TSN node (206-3);
mapping (Fig. 10, step 3) the one or more TSN QoS parameters to one or more QoS policies in the cellular communications system (300), one or more rules in the cellular communications system (300), or both one or more QoS policies in the cellular communications system (300) and one or more rules in the cellular communications system (300); and applying (Fig. 10, step 4a) the one or more QoS policies, the one or more rules, or both the one or more QoS policies and the one or more rules in the cellular communications system (300).
16. The method of claim 15 wherein the one or more TSN QoS parameters for the virtual TSN node (206-3) comprise one or more QoS parameters for TSN traffic transmission.
17. The method of claim 16 wherein the one or more QoS parameters for TSN traffic transmission comprise: (a) a latency of the virtual TSN node (206-3), (b) bandwidth information, (c) priority level of one or more TSN streams to be communicated via the virtual TSN node (206-3), or any combination of two or more of (a)-(c).
18. The method of any one of claims 15 to 17 further comprising:
receiving (Fig. 10, step 2), from the TSN application function (412; TSN AF), information related to a traffic pattern for the virtual TSN node (206-3); and
providing (Fig. 10, step 4b), directly or indirectly, at least some of the
information related to the traffic pattern for the virtual TSN node (206-3) to another node in the cellular communications system (300).
19. The method of claim 18 wherein the information related to the traffic pattern for the virtual TSN node (206-3) comprises gate control parameters for scheduled traffic.
20. The method of claim 18 or 19 wherein the information related to the traffic pattern for the virtual TSN node (206-3) comprises parameters that are not included in a model of the cellular communications system (300) that are needed for the cellular communications system (300) to fulfill TSN QoS requirements of TSN communications.
21. The method of any one of claims 15 to 20 wherein the cellular communications system (300) is a Fifth Generation System, 5GS, and, for TSN traffic in an uplink direction, providing (Fig. 10, step 4b) the at least some of the information related to the traffic pattern for the virtual TSN node (206-3) to another node in the cellular communications system (300) comprises providing (Fig. 10, step 4b), directly or indirectly, the at least some of the information related to the traffic pattern for the virtual TSN node (206-3) to a User Plane Function, UPF, (414; UPF) in a core network (310) of the 5GS that operates as part of the virtual TSN node (206-3).
22. The method of any one of claims 15 to 20 wherein the cellular communication system (300) is a Fifth Generation System, 5GS, and, for TSN traffic in a downlink direction, providing (Fig. 10, step 4b) the at least some of the information related to the traffic pattern for the virtual TSN node (206-3) to another node in the cellular communications system (300) comprises providing (Fig. 10, step 4b), directly or indirectly, the at least some of the information related to the traffic pattern for the virtual TSN node (206-3) to a User Equipment, UE, (312; UE) that operates as part of the virtual TSN node (206-3).
23. The method of any one of claims 15 to 22 wherein applying (Fig. 10, step 4a) the one or more QoS policies, the one or more rules, or both the one or more QoS policies and the one or more rules, in the cellular communications system (300), comprises triggering a Packet Data Unit, PDU, session modification procedure to establish a new QoS flow for TSN traffic according to the one or more QoS policies, the one or more rules, or both the one or more QoS policies and the one or more rules.
24. The method of any one of claims 15 to 20 and 23 wherein the cellular
communications system (300) is a 5GS.
25. The method of any one of claims 21 to 24 wherein the core network function (410; PCF) is a Policy Control Function, PCF.
26. A core network function (410; PCF) for a cellular communications system (300) that operates as a virtual Time-Sensitive Networking, TSN, node (206-3) in a TSN system (200), the core network function (410; PCF) adapted to:
receive (Fig. 10, step 2) one or more TSN Quality of Service, QoS, parameters for the virtual TSN node (206-3);
map (Fig. 10, step 3) the one or more TSN QoS parameters to one or more QoS policies in the cellular communications system (300), one or more rules in the cellular communications system (300), or both one or more QoS policies in the cellular communications system (300) and one or more rules in the cellular communications system (300); and
apply (Fig. 10, step 4a) the one or more QoS policies, the one or more rules, or both the one or more QoS policies and the one or more rules, in the cellular
communications system (300).
27. The core network function (410; PCF) of claim 26 wherein the core network function (410; PCF) is further adapted to perform the method of any of claims 16 to 25.
28. The core network function (410; PCF) of claim 26 or 27 wherein the core network function (410; PCF) is implemented on a network node, the network node comprising: processing circuitry configured to, in order to perform operations of the core network function (410; PCF), cause the network node to:
receive (Fig. 10, step 2) one or more TSN QoS parameters for the virtual TSN node (206-3);
map (Fig. 10, step 3) the one or more TSN QoS parameters to one or more QoS policies in the cellular communications system (300), one or more rules in the cellular communications system (300), or both one or more QoS policies in the cellular communications system (300) and one or more rules in the cellular communications system (300); and
apply (Fig. 10, step 4a) the one or more QoS policies, the one or more rules, or both the one or more QoS policies and the one or more rules in the cellular communications system (300).
29. A method of operation of a node (312; 414) in a cellular communications system (300) where the cellular communications system (300) operates as a virtual Time- Sensitive Networking, TSN, node (206-3) in a TSN system (200), the method
comprising:
receiving (Fig. 10, step 4b), from another node in the cellular communications system (300), information related to a traffic pattern for the virtual TSN node (206-3); and forwarding (Fig. 10, step 4b) the information to an associated traffic translator such that the associated traffic translator outputs TSN traffic in accordance with the traffic pattern for the virtual TSN node (206-3).
30. The method of claim 29 wherein the cellular communication system (300) is a Fifth Generation System, 5GS, and, for TSN traffic in a downlink direction, the node (312; 414) is a User Equipment, UE, (312) that operates as part of the virtual TSN node (206-3).
31. The method of claim 29 wherein the cellular communication system (300) is a Fifth Generation System, 5GS, and, for TSN traffic in an uplink direction, the node (312; 414) is a User Plane Function, UPF, in a core network (310) of the 5GS that operates as part of the virtual TSN node (206-3).
32. A node (312; 414) for a cellular communications system (300) where the cellular communications system (300) operates as a virtual Time-Sensitive Networking, TSN, node (206-3) in a TSN system (200), the node (312; 414) adapted to:
receive (Fig. 10, step 4b), from another node in the cellular communications system (300), information related to a traffic pattern for the virtual TSN node (206-3); and
forward (Fig. 10, step 4b) the information to an associated traffic translator such that the associated traffic translator outputs TSN traffic in accordance with the traffic pattern for the virtual TSN node (206-3).
33. The node (312; 414) of claim 32 wherein the node (312; 414) is further adapted to perform the method of claim 30 or 31.
34. The node (312; 414) of claim 32 or 33 wherein the node (312; 414) comprises: processing circuitry configured to cause the node (312; 414) to:
receive (Fig. 10, step 4b), from another node in the cellular communications system (300), information related to a traffic pattern for the virtual TSN node (206-3); and forward (Fig. 10, step 4b) the information to an associated traffic translator such that the associated traffic translator outputs TSN traffic in accordance with the traffic pattern for the virtual TSN node (206-3).
35. A method of operation of a radio access node (302; gNB) in a radio access network of a cellular communications system (300), the cellular communications system (300) operating as a virtual Time-Sensitive Networking, TSN, node (206-3) in a TSN system (200), the method comprising:
receiving (Fig. 13, step 4b) information related to a traffic pattern for a preceding TSN node (204 or 206-2) in the TSN system (200), wherein the preceding TSN node (204 or 206-2) is a TSN node in the TSN system (200) that precedes the virtual TSN node (206-3) in a direction of TSN traffic flow; and
performing one or more actions based on the received information.
36. The method of claim 35 wherein the one or more actions are related to optimization of the radio access network for TSN traffic.
37. The method of claim 35 or 36 wherein the one or more actions comprise providing an associated User Equipment, UE, with Semi-Persistent Scheduling, SPS, or configured grants configurations, based on the received information.
38. The method of any one of claims 35 to 37 wherein the received information comprises periodicity.
39. The method of any one of claims 35 to 37 wherein the received information comprises periodicity of TSN traffic received by the virtual TSN node (206-3) from the preceding TSN node (204 or 206-2).
40. The method of any one of claims 35 to 39 wherein the received information comprises message size.
41. The method of any one of claims 35 to 39 wherein the received information comprises message size of TSN traffic received by the virtual TSN node (206-3) from the preceding TSN node (204 or 206-2).
42. The method of any one of claims 35 to 41 wherein the received information comprises information on when periodic data is to arrive at the virtual TSN node (206-3) from the preceding TSN node (204 or 206-2).
43. A radio access node (302; gNB) in a radio access network of a cellular
communications system (300), the cellular communications system (300) operating as a virtual Time-Sensitive Networking, TSN, node (206-3) in a TSN system (200), the radio access node (302; gNB) adapted to:
receive (Fig. 13, step 4b) information related to a traffic pattern for a preceding TSN node (204 or 206-2) in the TSN system (200), wherein the preceding TSN node (204 or 206-2) is a TSN node in the TSN system (200) that precedes the virtual TSN node (206-3) in a direction of TSN traffic flow; and
perform one or more actions based on the received information.
44. The radio access node (302; gNB) of claim 43 wherein the radio access node (302; gNB) is further adapted to perform the method of any one of claims 36 to 42.
45. The radio access node (302; gNB) of claim 43 or 44 comprising:
processing circuitry configured to cause the radio access node (302; gNB) to: receive (Fig. 13, step 4b) the information related to the traffic pattern for the preceding TSN node (204 or 206-2) in the TSN system (200); and
perform the one or more actions based on the received information.
46. A method performed for operating a cellular communications system (300) as a virtual Time-Sensitive Networking, TSN, node (206-3) in a TSN system (200),
comprising:
• at a TSN application function (412; TSN AF) associated with the cellular
communications system (300): o receiving (Fig. 13, step 1), from a controller (208) associated with the TSN system (200), information related to a traffic pattern for a preceding TSN node (204 or 206-2) in the TSN system (200), the preceding TSN node (204 or 206-2) is a TSN node in the TSN system (200) that precedes the virtual TSN node (206-3) in a direction of TSN traffic flow; and o providing (Fig. 13, step 2), to a core network function (410; PCF) in a core network (310) of the cellular communications system (300), the information related to the traffic pattern for the preceding TSN node (204 or 206-2); and
• at the core network function (410; PCF):
o receiving (Fig. 13, step 2) the information related to the traffic pattern for the preceding TSN node (204 or 206-2); and
o providing (Fig. 13, step 4b), directly or indirectly, at least some of the information related to the traffic pattern for the preceding TSN node (204 or 206-2) to one or more radio access nodes (302) in the cellular communications system (300).
47. A method of operation of a Time-Sensitive Networking, TSN, application function (412; TSN AF) associated with a cellular communications system (300) that operates as a virtual TSN node (206-3) in a TSN system (200), comprising:
receiving (Fig. 13, step 1), from a controller (208) associated with the TSN system (200), information related to a traffic pattern for a preceding TSN node (204 or 206-2) in the TSN system (200), the preceding TSN node (204 or 206-2) is a TSN node in the TSN system (200) that precedes the virtual TSN node (206-3) in a direction of TSN traffic flow; and
providing (Fig. 13, step 2), to a core network function (410; PCF) in a core network (310) of the cellular communications system (300), the information related to the traffic pattern for the preceding TSN node (204 or 206-2).
48. The method of claim 47 wherein the information related to the traffic pattern for the preceding TSN node (204 or 206-2) comprises periodicity, message size, or both periodicity and message size.
49. The method of claim 47 or 48 wherein the information related to the traffic pattern for the preceding TSN node (204 or 206-2) comprises information on when periodic TSN data from the preceding TSN node (204 or 206-2) is to arrive at the virtual TSN node (206-3).
50. The method of any one of claims 47 to 49 wherein the core network function (410; PCF) is a Policy Control Function, PCF.
51. The method of any one of claims 47 to 50 wherein the cellular communications system (300) is a Fifth Generation System, 5GS.
52. The method of claim 51 wherein the core network function (410; PCF) is a Policy Control Function, PCF.
53. A Time-Sensitive Networking, TSN, application function (412; TSN AF) associated with a cellular communications system (300) that operates as a virtual TSN node (206- 3) in a TSN system (200), the TSN application function (412; TSN AF) adapted to:
receive (Fig. 13, step 1), from a controller (208) associated with the TSN system (200), information related to a traffic pattern for a preceding TSN node (204 or 206-2) in the TSN system (200), the preceding TSN node (204 or 206-2) is a TSN node in the TSN system (200) that precedes the virtual TSN node (206-3) in a direction of TSN traffic flow; and
provide (Fig. 13, step 2), to a core network function (410; PCF) in a core network (310) of the cellular communications system (300), the information related to the traffic pattern for the preceding TSN node (204 or 206-2).
54. The TSN application function (412; TSN AF) of claim 53 wherein the TSN application function (412; TSN AF) is further adapted to perform the method of any of claims 48 - 52.
55. The TSN application function (412; TSN AF) of claim 53 or 54 wherein the TSN application function (412; TSN AF) is implemented on a network node, the network node comprising: processing circuitry configured to, in order to perform operations of the TSN application function (412; TSN AF), cause the network node to:
receive (Fig. 13, step 1), from the controller (208) associated with the TSN system (200), the information related to the traffic pattern for the preceding TSN node (204 or 206-2) in the TSN system (200); and
provide (Fig. 13, step 2), to the core network function (410; PCF) in the core network (310) of the cellular communications system (300), the information related to the traffic pattern for the preceding TSN node (204 or 206-2).
56. A method of operation of a core network function (410; PCF) in a cellular communications system (300) that operates as a virtual Time-Sensitive Networking, TSN, node (206-3) in a TSN system (200), comprising:
receiving (Fig. 13, step 2) information related to a traffic pattern for a preceding TSN node (204 or 206-2) in the TSN system (200), the preceding TSN node (204 or 206-2) is a TSN node in the TSN system (200) that precedes the virtual TSN node (206- 3) in a direction of TSN traffic flow; and
providing (Fig. 13, step 4b), directly or indirectly, at least some of the
information related to the traffic pattern for the preceding TSN node (204 or 206-2) to one or more radio access nodes (302) in the cellular communications system (300).
57. The method of claim 56 wherein the information related to the traffic pattern for the preceding TSN node (204 or 206-2) comprises periodicity, message size, or both periodicity and message size.
58. The method of claim 56 or 57 wherein the information related to the traffic pattern for the preceding TSN node (204 or 206-2) comprises information on when periodic TSN data from the preceding TSN node (204 or 206-2) is to arrive at the virtual TSN node (206-3).
59. The method of any one of claims 56 to 58 wherein the cellular communications system (300) is a Fifth Generation System, 5GS.
60. The method of claim 59 wherein the core network function (410; PCF) is a Policy Control Function, PCF.
61. A core network function (410; PCF) for a cellular communications system (300) that operates as a virtual Time-Sensitive Networking, TSN, node (206-3) in a TSN system (200), the core network function (410; PCF) adapted to:
receive (Fig. 13, step 2) information related to a traffic pattern for a preceding TSN node (204 or 206-2) in the TSN system (200), the preceding TSN node (204 or 206-2) is a TSN node in the TSN system (200) that precedes the virtual TSN node (206- 3) in a direction of TSN traffic flow; and
provide (Fig. 13, step 4b), directly or indirectly, at least some of the information related to the traffic pattern for the preceding TSN node (204 or 206-2) to one or more radio access nodes (302) in the cellular communications system (300).
62. The core network function (410; PCF) of claim 61 wherein the core network function (410; PCF) is further adapted to perform the method of any of claims 57 to 59.
63. The core network function (410; PCF) of claim 61 or 62 wherein the core network function (410; PCF) is implemented on a network node, the network node comprising: processing circuitry configured to, in order to perform operations of the core network function (410; PCF), cause the network node to:
receive (Fig. 13, step 2) the information related to the traffic pattern for the preceding TSN node (204 or 206-2) in the TSN system (200); and
provide (Fig. 13, step 4b), directly or indirectly, the at least some of the information related to the traffic pattern for the preceding TSN node (204 or 206- 2) to the one or more radio access nodes (302) in the cellular communications system (300).
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